Federer marches into semi-final at French Open

Posted: Wednesday 3rd June 2009 | 17:20

ROGER Federer is just two wins from joining the most elite tennis club on the planet.

PURE FOCUS: Roger Federer produced his best display of the tournament yet to beat Gael Monfils on Court Philippe Chatrier

The second seed booked his semi-final place at the French Open with a 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over the last remaining French hope, 11th seed Gael Monfils.

Only Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi have won a career Grand Slam and Federer - a keen student of the game's history - wants nothing more than the one title missing from his stellar resume.

Federer might have struggled to beat Tommy Haas in the fourth round but he was back to his imperious best against Monfils, who simply had no answers from the questions he was posed.

The 61 minute first set was a tense and even affair but canny Federer's tactics gave him the edge and he saved a set point in a closely-fought tie-break before clinching it 8-6.

And with his nose in front it was soon clear that nothing would deflect the former world number one from his aim of reaching his 20th consecutive Grand Slam last four.

"It was very important to win the first set," said Federer.

"I tried to play aggressively from the very start and perhaps because of that I made a lot of errors. I took too many risks."

He took the second set in less than half an hour and produced an unerring serving display to wrap up the match in two hours and ten minutes.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who needs just one more win to equal Pete Sampras, will now play 20-year old Juan Martin del Potro after the fifth seed impressively beat Spain's Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

And he believes his experience could critical.

"I was very nervous," admitted Federer. "I have a lot of experience. I know that when I step on the court, I will play well or very well."

The defeat was a major blow for Monfils, who twice called the trainer onto the court during the third set.

He had talked up his hopes of beating Federer in a rematch of last year’s quarter-final but the result was destined to be the same.

And it means an expectant home crowd, who haven’t seen a home winner since Yannick Noah in 1983, will have to wait another year.

Federer made no apology for spoiling the home fans' party while del Potro later admitted he expected few fans to be cheering for him in Friday's semi-final.

"It's going to be very difficult," he said.

"We all know how Roger plays, and we all know what he wants to achieve here now that Nadal is no longer here.

"Everybody wants Roger to win this tournament but when I play Roger, I'll have to play my game. Otherwise I'll never achieve anything."