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Federer wins again to reach Qatar semis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-07 08:59

Roger Federer breezed into the semifinals of the $1 million Qatar Open with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Felciano Lopez on Thursday.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their Qatar Open in quarterfinal match in Doha, January 6, 2005. Federer won 6-1, 6-2. [Reuters]
Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their Qatar Open in quarterfinal match in Doha, January 6, 2005. Federer won 6-1, 6-2. [Reuters]
The world's No. 1 player, preparing to defend his Australian Open title, was flawless in extending his winning streak to 20 matches since his loss at the Olympics in August. Federer won in 53 minutes.

He raced through the first set in 22 minutes, serving six aces and capitalizing on his opponent's injured ankle.

"I was able to put pressure on Lopez from the very beginning," Federer said. "He tried to change tactics after I broke him in the first set, but I kept on serving well to keep him on the back foot."

Federer broke Lopez twice in the second set, advancing past the quarterfinals where he was beaten last year by American Jan-Michael Gambil.

"I am delighted with the way I am playing right now," Federer said. "Everything I try is coming off. I guess when you keep playing well, anything you try comes off. For me personally, it was a very entertaining match though the fans might think differently."

In one semifinal, Federer will play Nikolay Davydenko, who rallied from a set down to beat Sebastien Grosjean 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The other semi matches Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia against Albert Costa of Spain. Ljubicic advanced by beating Spanish teen Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, while Costa led Fabrice Santoro 6-2, 3-0 when the Frenchman retired due to fatigue.



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