Federer storms past Nalbandian

MONTE CARLO, Monaco -- Roger Federer rallied from a set down to beat sixth-seeded David Nalbandian 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 Friday and advanced to the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Federer leads 9-8 against the Argentine after losing their previous two meetings last year. He remains on course for a third straight final against three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, who beat No. 5 David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 7-5.

"The level of play was excellent today," Federer said. "Tough rallies. I think I definitely played my best match of the tournament, no doubt."

The top-ranked Swiss was shaky in the first set before dominating the next two and breaking Nalbandian five times in five chances, including the first match point.

"It's always nice playing against him," Federer said. "Because of the great player he is. He's (a) wonderful ball striker."

At 5-2 in the third set, Federer sent a superb forehand winner down the line, and a crisp backhand made it 0-40. Federer took the match with a crosscourt winner on the run that Nalbandian couldn't get near.

"I think we both played at a great level," Nalbandian said. "I got a little tired in the second set and third set."

Federer next plays third-seeded Novak Djokovic, who beat unseeded Sam Querrey of the United States 6-4, 6-0.

Nalbandian took the first set when Federer failed to deal with an awkward bounce and his backhand return looped out.

Federer reacted strongly, holding serve and then breaking Nalbandian to lead 2-0 in the second set. But Nalbandian broke straight back when Federer sent a backhand long.

Both players then held serve before Federer broke for a 4-2 lead when Nalbandian's forehand hit the net.

Federer was down 30-40 in the seventh game and needed a strong serve to save a break point.

In the eighth game, Federer stepped up a gear with a superb drop shot on the run leaving Nalbandian flat-footed, and he levelled the match when the Argentine's forehand went long.

In the decider, Federer broke Nalbandian in the sixth game with a fierce backhand return.

Nalbandian won the first match against Federer six years ago in the second round at Monte Carlo -- the first of five consecutive wins for Nalbandian.

Federer took eight of the next nine meetings, then Nalbandian beat Federer twice last year in the Madrid Masters final and the third round of the Paris Masters.

Nadal was troubled by Ferrer's big forehand in the second set.

The 2007 Masters Cup finalist broke Nadal twice to lead 3-0, and was then 40-15 up on his serve before Nadal broke back for 3-1.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Ferrer led 40-0 but then crumbled, smacking the turf with his racket after his drop shot bounced out and Nadal levelled at 5-5.

Nadal won the match when he retrieved Ferrer's drop shot and swiped the ball down the line.

Djokovic needed seven chances to finally break Querrey's serve in the first set, with the American's drop shot hitting the net to give Djokovic a 5-4 lead and an opportunity to serve out the set.

The Serb converted all three breakpoint chances in the second set, and won on his third match point with a big forehand that bounced on the baseline.

Also Friday, fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko beat unseeded Igor Andreev 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 despite losing his serve seven times.