ROME: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will clash for the 25th time in Saturday’s Rome Masters semifinals while Rafael Nadal also progressed, ensuring the big three all made the last four of this crucial French Open warm-up.
Defending champion Djokovic, the top seed, fought through the first set, before racing away in the second to beat French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-1.
Federer, fresh from his Madrid Masters triumph last weekend, followed the script with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Italian Andreas Seppi in just 53 minutes, with the Swiss third seed winning 14 of the first 15 points.
Second seed Nadal, meanwhile, got the better of Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych, grinding out a 6-4, 7-5 win and will meet fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.
“It was a very good match for me. From the start I played aggressive,” said Federer.
“The goals have to be the same against Djokovic — take it to him and play my game.”
Rome is one of the few big events Federer has not won, losing finals in 2003 and 2006.
But the Swiss star, who hasn’t played Djokovic since his marathon US Open semi-final defeat last year, showed his clay game is nearing perfection, just a week before the start of the French Open.
Djokovic was tested early on by Tsonga in a first set filled with five breaks of serve. But after winning the opener in nearly an hour, Tsonga’s defences collapsed as the top seed came home for his 29th win of the season.
“In the second set I played one of the best sets on clay this year,” said Serb star Djokovic.
“This is encouraging for the challenges ahead. With Roland Garros coming, I’m playing and feeling better in every match.”
Nadal will face off in the final four against compatriot and sixth seed Ferrer, who beat French 15th seed Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
“I played one of my best matches on clay against a difficult opponent,” said five-time Rome winner Nadal.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams withdrew on Saturday prior to the Rome Masters semifinal with China’s Li Na, with the American admitting she just had been feeling small twinges and will be fine for the French Open.
“I’m fine, I’ll be 100% for the French,” said 30-year-old Williams, who added she pulled out to make sure she didn’t aggravate the injury.
The Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna knocked off top-seeded Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Canada’s Daniel Nestor 6-4, 7-5 in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tennis meet to move into the semi-finals.
The pair from India won 79 per cent of their service points, and converted a break of serve in each set to wrap up their quarterfinal tie in 70 minutes Friday.
Bhupathi and Bopanna, coming off a semi-final showing at the Mutua Madrid Open last week, are aiming to win their second title of the season after triumphing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
In the semi-finals, Bhupathi and Bopanna will play Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez. The Spanish duo upset third seeds Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic 6-4, 6-2, capitalising on four of seven break point opportunities to advance in 72 minutes.
Lukasz Kubot and Janko Tipsarevic moved through to the final four, handing Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan their second straight quarter-final defeat at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Kubot and Tipsarevic, teaming up for the second time this season, won 79 per cent of their first serve points to beat the two-time champions in 72 minutes. The Polish-Serbian tandem will look to reach their first final together when they take on fourth seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau, who avenged their Madrid final defeat to Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski with a 6-2, 1-6, 12-10 win. (Agencies)