Tennis: World number one Roger Federer recovered from a set down to outclass Argentine sixth seed David Nalbandian 5-7 6-2 6-2 and book his place in the Monte Carlo Masters last four today.
The Swiss top seed, who hit a string of outstanding winners in a
first-rate match, next meets Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who beat him
in this year's Australian Open semi-final.
The Serb went through with a 6-4 6-0 demolition of American
Sam Querrey, who had beaten France's Richard Gasquet and former
French Open champion Carlos Moya of Spain.
"When you are the favourite (in a match), you are the one
with the pressure," said third-seeded Djokovic. "And if you want to
stay in the tournament, you have to cope with it."
Federer is still on course for a repeat of the last two
finals against second seed Rafael Nadal, who qualified with a 6-1
7-5 victory over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.
The three-times champion will continue the defence of his
title against Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko, who beat
compatriot Igor Andreev 6-3 4-6 7-5.
The results mean the top four seeds have reached tomorrow's
semi-finals.
Nadal allowed Ferrer just 14 points in a one-sided first set.
However, last year's Masters Cup finalist got back on track in the
second, hammering his opponent with forehand winners to lead 3-0,
40-15.
A grinning Nadal then pulled two breaks back, levelling at
5-5 after Ferrer squandered three set points.
The Spaniard wasted two more break points, leaving the three
times French Open champion to wrap it up with a superb passing shot
on Ferrer's serve.
"David started playing very well in the second set, he was
very aggressive," said Nadal.
"Every time when he hit a forehand, it was a winner, no? So I
couldn't do much more. The important thing is that I was there all
the time, focused, believing in the victory."
Nadal has yet to lose a set in Monte Carlo since the 2006
final against Federer, who played his best match of the season on
clay as he prepares to bid for an elusive French Open crown.
The Swiss converted all his five break point chances and
improved his record against Nalbandian to 9-8 after losing their
previous two matches in the Madrid and Paris Masters last year.
Federer failed to create a single break point in a balanced
first set and Nalbandian broke his serve in the 11th game.
The Argentine wrapped up the opener after 52 minutes when a
sloppy Federer sent a backhand passing shot wide.
The world number one regained his composure and after a trade
of breaks, won four games in a row with some impressive shots,
including a stunning drop shot on the run.
He broke again in the sixth game of the decider with a
service return into Nalbandian's feet and sealed the win after two
hours and seven minutes on the Argentine's serve.
Federer, who claimed the Estoril Open last weekend, has now
won the eight matches he has played on clay this season.
"It's always nice playing against him (Nalbandian). And when
you beat him, you always know you're playing well because he's not
just going to hand it over to you," said the Swiss.
Davydenko overcame a poor performance on serve to scrape past
Andreev, saying: "Maybe I was lucky (to win) this match."
Both players struggled in their service games, with Andreev
breaking seven times and Davydenko nine.
The Russian had trouble taking the first set and, although he
broke three times in the second, only held serve once to let
Andreev level the match.
Following two exchanges of breaks in the decider, Andreev
squandered a 40-0 lead in the 12th game and bowed out when he sent
a forehand long after two hours and 44 minutes.