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MASON, Ohio -- Novak Djokovic dumped another pressure-packed shot into the net and stood in place for a moment, stunned by another upset in Cincinnati. Its the only place where he cant win. Top-ranked American John Isner ended Djokovics attempt to make ATP history Friday, beating the No. 1 player 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open. Djokovic has never won in Cincinnati, the only Masters event that has eluded him during his career. He has lost in the finals four times, including last year to Roger Federer. All he needs to do is hoist the winners trophy one time in Cincinnati to become the first player to win all nine Masters events. Wait until next year. Again. "Its disappointing that I played this way," Djokovic said. "For me, its very disappointing." Isner reached the semifinals in Cincinnati for the first time, knocking off a No. 1 for only the second time in his career. His other No. 1 upset? He beat Djokovic at Indians Wells in the semifinals last year. "A fantastic win for me," Isner said. "Certainly one of my greatest memories as a tennis player." Hell play seventh-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, who advanced Friday by beating qualifier Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Del Potro is in the semifinals for the second straight year. Soon after Djokovic got knocked out, No. 2 Andy Murray was gone, too. He failed to convert a break point while losing 6-3, 6-4 to Tomas Berdych, who also beat him in the quarterfinals at Madrid. They were relegated to the adjoining grandstand court. Both players struggled with the loud music, announcements and cheering from centre court. "I think this was my best moment of the game to handle this because I was struggling with the noise around the court and the distraction," Berdych said. "You know, I handled it pretty well today." Murray? Not so much. At least it got the Wimbledon champion prepared for Flushing Meadows. "I think in some ways its good preparation for the U.S. Open because normally the U.S. Open is fairly loud," Murray said. "You know, a lot of movement and music, and they have the big screen and stuff. So, yeah, you get used to that playing here." In the womens draw, top-seeded Serena Williams needed only 64 minutes to beat Simona Halep 6-0, 6-4. Shell play Li Na, who advanced to the semifinals automatically when No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska withdrew to attend her grandfathers funeral. Like Djokovic, Williams has never won in Cincinnati, which has become one of her goals. She struggles with the conditions on court and wasnt happy with her overall level of play on Friday. "I have quite a few things on my tennis bucket list," Williams said. "This obviously is one of them. But I like to believe if it doesnt happen this year, I always have another chance." Also, 14th-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat 12th-seeded Roberta Vinci 6-0, 6-4 to reach the semifinals for the third time. She won the tournament in 2009 and lost the title match to Maria Sharapova in 2011. "I love playing here in Cincinnati because I have great results in the past," said Jankovic, who fought off eight of nine break points in the second set. "So that always helps. I mean, I was a finalist and a champion before, so you always love coming back to places where you can win." Not Djokovic. He played poorly last year in his loss to Federer in the final. He was off again Friday, which was especially frustrating since he came into the tournament motivated to make ATP history. "I just played a very bad match overall," he said. "Terrible match. From beginning to end, except the start of the second set, I was just a different player totally." Djokovic wasted a chance to break Isner early in the third set. He was up 40-15 in the final game, ready to send it to a tiebreaker, when he came apart. Isner kept the game going with a running forehand that hugged the line, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd. "Probably the best shot I hit all match," Isner said. Djokovic gave Isner his first attempt at a match point by dumping a backhand into the net, but saved it with a 119 mph ace. With the crowd cheering Isner on, Djokovic double-faulted and dumped another backhand into the net, giving Isner his only service break of the match. What happened? "I dont know," Djokovic said. Del Potro has been playing with a sore wrist and knee, two concerns with the U.S. Open at hand. He managed to reach the semifinals without issue. "Its bothering me a little bit, but not too much," he said. "(Im) trying to play a slice and play different shots in this tournament before the U.S. Open to see how different I can play against the top guys or doing different things." "Im OK," he added. "My knee is OK, too, and thats important looking forward to New York." Brock Burke Rangers Jersey . On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. 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Late in the game, the St. Louis goalie craned his neck into the air to block a shot, taking a puck square in the mask.SEATTLE -- Chris Young isnt prone to self-praise. Even after a good start, the Seattle Mariners right-hander is more comfortable giving credit to anyone but himself. Young had another opportunity to act the consummate teammate after he pitched pitching eight efficient innings Saturday night to lead the Mariners to a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. "Im happy," Young said. "Im happy we won. Thats first and foremost. My goal is for the team to win the day I pitch, however its done." Young (3-0) allowed three hits, struck out three and walked none. It was the first time he threw at least eight innings since he tossed a complete game for the San Diego Padres in 2008. Young pitched sparingly in the majors from 2009-12 and missed most of last season after having surgery to address a nerve ailment that affects his shoulder. The tall right-hander needed just 96 pitches and set down the Royals in order in five of his eight innings. "Ive said all along, hes a veteran guy that knows what hes doing, what he wants to do," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "When hes capable of executing his pitches, hes pretty tough. "Hes gotten better every time out. We got to remember this guys coming off surgery. Very limited amount of spring training. So what hes doing is really remarkable, to command it so early like he is." Fernando Rodney pitched around a two-out single in the ninth inning to record his 11th save in 12 attempts. Justin Smoak gave Young all the run support he would need with a two-run home run to right in the fourth to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. Smoaks fifth home run of the season gave him 24 RBIs, a number he didnt reach last year until Aug. 1. Dustin Ackley added a solo shot to right in the sixth inning off Royals starter Yordano Ventura. Ventura (2-2) allowed three runs in 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander issued a season-high four walks, while notching a season-low three strikeouts. ";You know, he threw the ball really well," Royals skipper Ned Yost said.dddddddddddd "The pitch to Smoak wasnt a bad pitch, it was down and in that he got the head out on. The pitch to Ackley was a changeup that he drove into the seats. But outside of that, it was OK." Mariners right fielder Michael Saunders hurt himself when his foot slid in the grass near the right-field line while he was chasing a ball hit by Mike Moustakas in the top of the third inning. Saunders fell to the ground and the ball bounced over him, allowing Moustakas to reach third with a triple. The Royals took advantage of the opportunity as Alcides Escobar followed with a sacrifice fly to left to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Saunders left the game after the inning and was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee. He is considered day to day. The four hits tied a season-low for the Royals, who have struggled to find power during their time in Seattle. Of its 23 hits in three games thus far in the series, Kansas City has just one extra-base hit. "So far, so good, but my goal is to help this club make the playoffs," Young said. "My goal isnt to make five ... (or six starts). I try not to evaluate at this point. I just want to keep getting better, working hard and to keep helping the club. I feel like if I do that one game at a time, you look back, well be satisfied where we are." NOTES: Sundays series finale will pit Seattle LHP Roenis Elias against Kansas City RHP Jeremy Guthrie. ... Mariners rookie James Jones hit in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career. Manager Lloyd McClendon said Jones, who hit .306 in the minors from the top spot in the lineup, is a "prototypical leadoff guy." ... Home plate umpire Scott Barry left Saturdays game following the third inning after appearing to take a pitch off his right hand. Crew chief Jeff Nelson took over behind the plate and the game finished with three umpires. ' ' '