Rafa,Roger turn on Miami heat

Federer was gifted his spot after Gilles Simon retired with a stiff neck six minutes into their match,while Nadal battled to a 6-2,3-6,6-3 win over Tomas Berdych in two hour,17 minutes under lights on a balmy night. Berdych was overpowered by Nadals fierce serve in the first set,but regrouped and broke in the second game of the second set. The Czech,making good use of his own powerful serve,secured his first set against the Spaniard since October 2006 but then was hanging in for most of the third.

Luck was not on his side as two net cords fell badly for him,Nadal breaking to go 5-3 up in the third,then holding serve to set up a clash with the world number three. Nadal,who received some intense massage work courtside,said he suffered from some pain in his right shoulder and neck area but was confident it would not hamper him on Friday.

However,he conceded it had distracted him against Berdych. When it happens for the first time,its something where if you dont know whats going on you lose concentration (and start) thinking about the arm. If it happens tomorrow its not going to be nothing new and it will be easier to manage the situation. So I am sure the arm is not going to affect the match, he said.

Federer barely broke sweat as Simon,having been broken twice and losing the opening three games,asked for a medical break before walking off court. A disappointed crowd booed Simon as he headed to the locker room,leaving fans with only a doubles game to watch. Simon said he had suffered a recurrence of a niggling back injury during the warm up. I tried to relax after the warmup. I tried everything. I mean,anti-inflammatories,hot cream,just trying to feel better, Simon told reporters. Just after the second forehand,I tried to hit it very hard; I felt it very hard also. I knew I had no chance to play today.

Federer said he sympathised with Simon,who had beaten him twice in the three previous meetings. Its not a whole lot fun because you see the guy being booed off the court,which he clearly doesnt deserve, said Federer. I understand the frustration from the people paying a lot of money to come see us play for multiple hours potentially,and then its over within 10 minutes. Its not great.

Sharapova,Azarenka in final

Meanwhile,on the womens side,Maria Sharapova reached her first final in more than seven months and looked back at her best with a 3-6,6-0,6-2 victory over Germanys giant-killing Andrea Petkovic. The former world number one will face Victoria Azarenka in Saturdays final after the Belarusian defeated third seed Vera Zvonareva 6-0,6-3.

Azarenka reached her second final here after winning the title against Serena Williams two years ago. The 21-year-old can expect a tough battle against Sharapova,who is looking in top form. She is playing well,she is a tough opponent,no matter when or where,I am looking forward to it, said Azarenka. I know how she plays,she knows how I play so it will be a real battle. I havent to let her dictate the play,the way she likes.

After losing the opening set,Sharapova turned the match around,completely overwhelming her opponent with the kind of devastating form that took her to the top of the world rankings four times between 2005 and 2008. Petkovic faded quickly and was unable to reproduce the brilliant tennis she uncorked in her wins over the current world number one Caroline Wozniacki and the former rankings leader Jelena Jankovic.Simon Evans