HAMBURG, Germany : Defending champion Roger Federer and rising star Novak Djokovic are safely through to the semi-finals of the Hamburg Masters Series after both enjoyed straight-set wins here on Friday.

Australian Open winner Djokovic was always in control against Spain's Albert Montanes as he sealed a 6-2, 6-3 win in 77 minutes and will play either world number two Rafael Nadal or Carlos Moya in Saturday's semi-final.

And world number one Federer also looked comfortable as he beat Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes and will face either unseeded local hero Nicolas Kiefer or Italy's Andreas Seppi for a place in the final.

Verdasco, 28th in the world, had removed fifth-seed David Ferrer and tenth-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny in previous rounds but a foot injury in the second set compromised his bid to oust his Swiss opponent.

"It was quite a tough match, he's a very talented player who is capable of beating any player on any surface, I had to work hard," said Federer.

"I thought he would come out and go for aces, but he hit some great shots off his back-hand."

Federer has won four of the last six tournaments in Hamburg and beat left-handed clay-court king Rafael Nadal in last year's final.

The Swiss star admitted it was good experience to face left-handed Verdasco, especially if he plays Nadal again in Sunday's final.

"It's always good to face left-handed players, especially with Roland Garros coming up," he said.

"If you face a left-hander in Paris it always helps if you have faced one a week ago rather than five months before."

- AFP