Federer reaches Madrid semifinals
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has beaten Latvian Ernests Gulbis 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters.
Defending champion Federer lost the first set but found his form to gain revenge on Gulbis, who sent the Swiss home with a defeat early in the Rome Masters two weeks ago.
Federer now faces either third-seed Andy Murray or ninth seed David Ferrer.
Also on Friday, Rafael Nadal was close to his clay-court best in beating Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-3 Friday for a place in the other semifinal. The 23-year-old Monfils was playing his first clay tournament of the season and was outclassed by a dominant Nadal, who has not lost a service game in his three matches in Madrid.
Nadal will play fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who beat Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-1 in the only quarterfinal not to feature a seeded player.
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