DOHA - World No 1 Roger Federer set up a tennis semi-final against Germany's Tommy Haas after showing Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis the exit with a 6-4 6-3 win at the Qatar Open.
Haas had earlier defeated Russia's Mikhail Youzhny with an identical 6-4 6-3 score.
Second seed Nikolay Davydenko's preparation
for this month's Australian Open was, however, dented when he was stunned 6-3 6-4 by Filippo Volandri.
The Italian will take on Frenchman Gael Monfils, a 6-2 7-6 winner over Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the other semi-final.
Swiss top seed Federer has won his first tournament of the year in three of the past four years (Sydney 2002, Australian Open 2004 and Doha 2005) and looks set to improve on that record in the Middle East.
After being stretched by Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in a 7-6 7-6 win on Wednesday, Federer was relieved to have an easier outing against Baghdatis.
He broke the Cypriot for a 5-4 lead and after wasting three set points in the next game, he clinched the opening set on his fourth attempt.
Baghdatis dropped his serve again in the eighth game of the second and that was enough for Federer to book his place in the last four.
"We have had some good matches in the past. He's certainly a tough player," Federer said ahead of the semis against Haas.
Haas left Youzhny bewildered by racing into a 5-1 lead in the second set and although the Russian managed to close the gap by winning two successive games, the German stood firm to wrap up the win.
Despite losing three of his last four encounters against Federer, Haas was looking forward to the challenge of facing the world number one.
"Federer is one of the best players on tour (and) when you face him you know where you stand," the German said.
"I'm not bothered about the outcome of the match. Whichever way it goes, it will be a good preparation for the Australian Open."
- REUTERS
