• Internazionali BNL d'Italia

Classy Federer overcomes Janowicz

Roger Federer overcame the powerful serves of Jerzy Janowicz to book a semi-final place at the Rome Masters © AP

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Roger Federer overcame a tough challenge from Jerzy Janowicz to book his place in the semi-final of the Rome Masters, defeating the Pole 6-4 7-6(2) in less than an hour and a half on the Centrale court.

There was little to separate the pair in the opening set as each gave their opponent little to capitalise on in the early exchanges.

Both continued to hold their serve solidly before Federer, who fired in seven aces in the first, found that all important break late on to edge into the lead.

However world No. 24 Janowicz found an immediate response in the first game of the second, as Federer showed a lapse in concentration and allowed the Pole to smash a forehand down the line for the early break.

The pair traded service games as Janowicz continued to impress with a variety of disguised drop shots, but Federer began to find rhythm of his own with a hold to love.

Janowicz continued to utilise his huge frame through a string of powerful serves, but world No. 3 Federer held firm to keep in touch before clinching another late break to even the scores at five games apiece.

Federer held to edge closer to victory and had Janowicz on the ropes when earning two match points; once again, the Pole successfully defended with his dominant serve before forcing Federer into an error to take the second to a tie break.

Federer noticeably stepped up a gear as he took an early three-shot lead, but Janowicz showed class when finishing another thrilling rally with a trademark drop shot.

A fast Federer forehand proved too much, before Janowicz powered a forehand of his own into the net to allow his opponent five match points.

Another net error from the Pole gave a straight sets victory for Federer, who now faces Benoit Paire in the semi-final after the Frenchman defeated Marcel Granollers 6-1 6-0 in less than an hour on court.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.