adminRoger Federer kept alive his pursuit of an elusive clay-court title with a routine 6-3, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych yesterday to reach the Italian Open semi-finals. Along with Monte Carlo, Rome is one of only two Masters series titles that the 17-time Grand Slam champion has never won.
Meanwhile, Russia’s two-time champion Maria Sharapova eased into the Italian Open quarter-finals by defeating Bojana Jovanovski 6-3 6-3 in Rome.
Czech Petra Kvitova beat Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-2 while Romania’s Simona Halep overcame Venus Williams 6-2 6-1. Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-6 (9-7). World number one Serena Williams withdrew with an elbow injury. — BBCSport
Online Reporter