• BNP Paribas Masters

Federer wins through as path to Paris title opens up

Roger Federer reached the semi-finals in Paris © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Federer sinks Tsonga to master Paris
  
• News: Djokovic withdraws in Paris
  
• News: Murray crashes out in Paris after Berdych battle
  
• Profile: Roger Federer

Roger Federer clocked up his 800th career victory after seeing off the challenge of Juan Monaco to reach the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.

The world No. 4 was far from his devastating best, but ground out a 6-3 7-5 victory to remain on course for a second title in as many weeks.

Federer, who ended a ten-month title drought to win his home event in Basel on Sunday, saw his route to the title in Paris open up on Friday following the withdrawal of top seed Novak Djokovic and defeat to Andy Murray.

Federer's quarter-final opponent was expected to be seventh seed Mardy Fish, but the American's retirement on Thursday handed Monaco a place in his first Masters quarter-final of the year.

The last time the pair met, Federer thrashed Monaco 6-1 6-2 6-0 in the fourth round of the US Open earlier this year. But if the Swiss expected to have things all his way, he was mistaken, as Monaco grabbed an early break, only needing two of the three break points on offer. The Argentine consolidated his break with a comfortable service hold, thanks in part to some uncharacteristic errors from Federer.

But Federer soon found his rhythm, and a love service game was the start of five games on the bounce as the third seed streaked away to claim the opening set. Monaco matched the 16-time grand slam champion blow for blow in the second set, and it was not until the 13th game that Federer managed to find a breakthrough after Monaco plowed a forehand into the net.

Serving for the match, Federer showed no signs of nerves as he wrapped up the victory with an ace to set up a semi-final clash with Tomas Berdych, after the fifth seed beat Murray earlier on Friday.

In the other half of the draw, John Isner defeated fourth seed David Ferrer 6-3 3-6 6-3 to to set up a semi-final clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who progressed without lifting a racket. The French crowds were denied a much-anticipated quarter-final between the home favourite and top seed Djokovic after the Serb pulled out with a shoulder injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.