Nadal, Federer both move on to Madrid semifinals
MADRID, Spain -- Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer stayed on track to meet in another final by winning their quarterfinals in straight sets Friday at the Madrid Masters.
Top-ranked Nadal downed Spanish countryman Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4, and second-ranked Federer eliminated ninth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-3.
In Saturday's semifinals, Nadal will meet Gilles Simon, while Federer will face fourth-seeded Andy Murray in a replay of the U.S. Open final. Murray beat Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-2, and Simon outlasted Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-6 (2).
Nadal and Federer have each won Madrid without playing the other. They have played in four finals this year, with Nadal sweeping them all, including the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nadal complained of a right leg injury at the start of the week. His latest concern is his shoulder.
"Right up to the last minute the doctors have been treating me for shoulder pain," he said. "I spent two hours with them before coming out on court."
Nadal was facing an opponent who ousted top-10 players David Ferrer and Stanislas Wawrinka. Nadal made the only break in the fifth game of the first set and ninth game of the second, helped by Lopez's 33 unforced errors.
"This surface favored Feliciano. He likes to play here and at this altitude," Nadal said. "So I think I've played a very serious match."
Federer used an effective slice serve on the fast indoor surface against del Potro and was never broken.
"The slice goes nicely on this court," Federer said. "I felt good using it to counter Juan Martin's height."
Del Potro served 12 aces, including 11 in the first set, but his four double-faults cost him.
"Roger generates pressure just by being in front of you," the Argentine said. "I double-faulted on my serve in each set to lose the match. Roger gave nothing away and I wasn't able to even take a set off him.
"He broke my rhythm all the time and took full advantage of his break points, which I wasn't able to do."
Murray was broken by Monfils in the opening game, but the Scot broke straight back and twice more to take the first set. The second set followed a similar pattern.
"[Monfils] almost enjoys running too much and almost likes you to dictate play," Murray said. "Once he gets used to big matches we're going to be seeing a lot more of him."
Murray lost to Federer in straight sets in his first Grand Slam final a month ago, but Federer was expecting a harder match.
"I'll have to come with a proper game plan," Federer said. "He played well against Monfils, so I'll have my hands full with him."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
