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Walkovers send Nadal and Novak into final

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic reached the final of the Miami ATP Masters yesterday morning (Singapore time), after their semi-final opponents Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori withdrew.

The two semi-final walkovers were a first in ATP history, with Nishikori pulling out with a groin injury and Berdych felled by gastroenteritis.

Berdych, who received IV fluids in a futile attempt to be ready for his evening match against Nadal, was at a loss to explain how he became so ill.

"I woke up at 7.30 in th`e morning with pain in my stomach. I am disappointed about not getting a chance to play," he said.

Nishikori withdrew after attempting to warm up for his earlier match against Djokovic, saying the left groin injury hindered his movement too much to allow him to play.

The injury ended Nishikori's sparkling run where he beat world No. 5 David Ferrer in the fourth round and then Swiss great Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

- AFP.