Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will clash for the 25th time in Saturday’s Rome Masters semi-finals 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. “I’m happy to do so well after also playing well in Monte Carlo and Barcelona (where he won both titles). It was a big match because the level of the opponent was high and he plays with big confidence. I played under pressure all the time.” Nadal and Ferrer went toe-to-toe less than three weeks ago, with Nadal winning the final to take his seventh trophy on home clay in Barcelona.
Nadal showed he has regained his blistering form after a poor third-round loss a week ago on blue clay in Madrid as he beat Berdych for the 11th time in succession in a struggle lasting just over two hours.
