THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HALLE, Germany -- Roger Federer extended his streak on grass to 57 matches with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Marcos Baghdatis on Friday to reach the Gerry Weber Open semifinals. Federer, a four-time champion at Halle, finished off in 70 minutes when Baghdatis netted a serve. The Swiss next faces Nicolas Kiefer, who won the first set 6-4 before Michael Llodra withdrew from their quarter-final match with an injured shoulder. "It was a very solid performance today. Marcos is, in some ways, one of the dark horses for Wimbledon," said Federer, who beat Baghdatis in the 2006 Australian Open final. Later that year, Baghdatis reached the semifinals at Wimbledon before losing to Rafael Nadal. Second-seeded James Blake needed eight match points to beat German wild card Andreas Beck 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). He faces Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-6 (4). Federer broke Baghdatis' serve in the first game when the Cypriot player hit a forehand long under pressure after a long rally. The break in the second set was nearly identical at 3-2. "He gave me a few too many points, so I took advantage of that," Federer said. "It's great to be in the semis without losing a set." Baghdatis, a finalist at the Gerry Weber Open last year, rallied and had two breakpoint chances in the next game -- the only ones against the Swiss star at the tournament. The match had some spectacular exchanges that drew applause from 9,000 spectators as Federer remained unbeaten on grass since a first round loss at the 2002 Wimbledon to Croatia's Mario Ancic -- the stretch includes five Wimbledon titles. The 22-year-old Baghdatis has slipped from a career high No. 8 in 2006 to 23rd, recording just a 10-7 record this year. He has been slowed by an ankle injury, which sidelined him for six weeks before he returned at the French Open. Federer came into Halle after Nadal routed him in the French Open Sunday, his worst loss to his rival.
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