Top-seeded tennis player Roger Federer has advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters, defeating Jürgen Melzer of Austria 6-1 7-6.
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It is the first time the Swiss has made it past the quarterfinals of the €2.75 million (SFr3.7 million) tournament, played on indoor carpet at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy.
On Saturday he will face either Andy Murray from Britain or local favourite Gael Monfils. The other semifinal is between Swedish fourth seed Robin Söderling and France’s Michael Llodra.
Federer, who earlier this week called the Parisian indoor tournament his “worst” Masters, had previously lost three times in the quarterfinals (in 2002, 2003 and 2008).
Following victories in Stockholm and Basel, the Swiss star won a 12th consecutive match and delighted the crowd by sending winners all over the court during a 20-minute first set he opened with an ace.
Melzer showed a better face in the second set but missed an easy forehand volley in the tiebreaker to give Federer a 5-4 lead. The 16-time grand slam winner set up match point with an ace and converted it with a service winner.
“I’m delighted to finally feature among the last four at Bercy,” Federer said. “But the semifinal will be difficult.”
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.