rogerfederer.com - Roger beats Blake to reach semifinals

Roger beats Blake to reach semifinals

Roger is into the semi-finals of the US Open with a hard fought victory over American James Blake.

The world number one took the first set in a tiebreak and lost the third on another before reaching his 10th successive grand slam semi-final to match Ivan Lendl's record Open era streak.

Roger saved three set points in the first set tie break, but then proceeded to run away from the American in the second set.

Blake needed five set points to win the third set tiebreak, finally winning it when Roger slipped while attempting a passing shot. It was the first set Roger had lost in the tournament.

Roger looked unsettled at the beginning of the fourth set. But he saved three break points on his serve, and proceeded to break Blake's serve in the next game.

Despite the support of a vocal home town crowd behind Blake, Roger won 7-6, 6-0, 6-7, 6-4.

"I thought it was a fantastic match," said Roger. "Unbelievable, high quality. I really thought we were hitting the ball so hard."

Roger will meet seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko on Saturday for a place in the final following the Russian's five-set victory over Germany's Tommy Haas. Roger has won all seven of their previous meetings.