ROME — Roger Federer kept up his pursuit of the elusive Italian Open title with a 6-3, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych on Friday to reach the semifinals of the clay-court tournament.
Along with Monte Carlo, Rome is one of only two Masters series titles that the 17-time Grand Slam champion has never won.
Federer will next face either seven-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal or eigth-seeded Stan Wawrinka, who were playing in the night session at the Foro Italico.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, was pushed to three sets for the third consecutive match in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori.