Intro:

Defending champion Bernard Tomic advanced to the semi finals of the Sydney International on Thursday with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine defeated Australian Marinko Matosevic 6-4, 6-3.

Script:

Home favourite Bernard Tomic faced Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarter finals of the Sydney International on Thursday.

Dolgopolov had defeated Tomic in Sydney before - knocking him out in the first round in 2011.

But there was to be no repeat this time around as Tomic blew his opponent off court with some devastating ground strokes.

The Australian opened up a 4-1 advantage in the first set before going on to take the set 6-4.

The second set followed a similar pattern - as Tomic once again raced clear with an early break of serve before going on to win 6-4, 6-3.

Tomic will face Ukranian Sergiy Stakhovsky in the semi-finals after he beat Australian wildcard Marinko Matosevic.

Stakhovsky took the first set after a solitary break in game nine.

The home player then found himself a double break down in the second set.

Matosevic briefly rallied back and had a break point to draw level at 4-4, but in a game of five deuces, eventually Stakhovsky stood strong.

The Ukrainian closed out the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.