Roger Federer, David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic through to Rome Semis

Roger Federer(L), David Ferrer(M), Novak Djokovic(R)

Roger Federer remained on course for a semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal at the Rome Masters after beating Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-3.

Federer has made the final in Rome three times in the past 12 years but been beaten on every occasion - twice by Nadal and once by Felix Mantilla, in 2003.

The 33-year-old could now meet seven-time champion Nadal in the last four if the Spaniard overcomes Swiss player Stan Wawrinka in their semi-final later on today.

Earlier, Spain's David Ferrer set up a semi-final clash with world No 1 Novak Djokovic after disposing of Belgian qualifier David Goffin 6-2 4-6 6-3.

He now takes on defending champion Djokovic after the Serb accounted for Japan's Kei Nishikori, despite being pushed to three sets for the third consecutive match in a 6-3 3-6 6-1 win.

 

Goffin, who had stunned Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round, had advanced to the last eight of the competition with a walkover after third-round opponent Andy Murray withdrew on Thursday citing fatigue.

...SkySports