Federer enters semis before smashing Roddick

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November 16, 2007 18:53 IST

Roger Federer's place in the semi-finals of the season-ending Masters Cup was decided before he had even hit a ball in anger on Friday.

The world number one then destroyed Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2, triggering a couple of furious outbursts from the American, who smashed one of his rackets to pieces.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko's 6-4, 6-3 victory over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez was enough to send Federer through regardless of the result of his final Red Group match.

Federer, chasing his fourth Masters Cup title in the last five years, now faces world number two Rafael Nadal in Saturday's semi-finals at the showcase eight-man event.

The Swiss has regularly tormented Roddick in their past meetings and his 14-1 head-to-head record was never under threat in a one-sided match.

Federer breezed through the first set in 33 minutes, clinching it with a sharp forehand volley to leave his opponent in a hole.

Things got even worse for Roddick as Federer broke twice in the second, putting the American out of his misery after just 61 minutes with another sizzling crosscourt forehand.

Roddick, who reduced one racket to a mangled heap by repeatedly smashing it against his heel, faces Gold Group winner David Ferrer in the semi-finals.

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