Tennis

Nadal to meet Federer in Miami semifinal

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-01 17:25

Roger Federer of Switzerland signs autographs after his semi-final match against Gilles Simon of France at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne of Miami, Florida, March 31, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - World No 1 Rafael Nadal and former No 1 Roger Federer will meet in the semifinals of the Sony Erikson Open tennis tournament in Miami, as both of the superstars won in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

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Nadal relied on steady serving and solid returning on key points to overcome Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours, 17 minutes.

Federer advanced in a much easier way as French 25th seed Gilles Simon retired in the opening set when the Swiss was leading 3-0.

The semifinal clash between Nadal and Ferder will be their first meet in the last six years in the United States.

The two just met twice before in the United States, with both meetings also coming in Miami. Nadal, 17-year-old by then, upset Federer in straight set in the third round in 2004, while Federer avenged in the following year, shrugging off a two sets deficit to disappoint the Spaniard in the final.

Rafael Nadal (C) of Spain gets treatment to the non-racket side of his body during his match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic at the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tournament in Key Biscayne of Miami, Florida, March 31, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]