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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
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