Roger Federer in Madrid Open

It wasn’t easy. In fact, for a while Latvian Ernests Gulbis had the world’s best player on the ropes in their heralded quarterfinal rematch of a Gulbis upset two weeks ago. This time, as he has done so many times before, Federer found some holes in the Latvian’s game. Roger Federer exploited those slight flaws and forged his way to the semis with a stirring three-set 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph.

Gulbis took charge of the first set against the defending champion in the 2010 the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open on Friday. Trying to repeat his 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 upset win against Federer in Rome, the Latvian was comfortable in the surroundings against his vaunted opponent. Gulbis came out firing and playing with the confidence of a man who has posted a 22-9 season record. Federer appeared cautious in dropping the first set and going down a break in the second.

Just when it appeared the Swiss was done, he magically ran of six games in set two to square the match. Roger had success at the net, winning 12 of 21 points but more importantly showed Gulbis his game was multi-faceted. The effect seemed to unnerve the Latvian.

Federer had 34 winners and Gulbis 31 unforced errors. The top seed will be seeking his 19th win of the season on Saturday. A win will not come easily.

Hard playing David Ferrer bounced a slumping Andy Murray in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. For the third seeded Murray, 2010 has been a season of remorse.

Not so for Ferrer, who looks comfortable on the clay and boasts a tour high 33 wins this year. His semifinal appearance at Madrid marks his fourth straight semifinal appearance on clay. The 12 seed has never defeated a number one seed. With his pinpoint groundstrokes, he appears equal to the task against Federer, who will be seeking his 697th tour win.

The first Saturday semifinal will feature second seeded Rafael Nadal against yet another very capable Spaniard Nicolas Almagro who disposed of German Jurgen Melzer in 59 minutes, 6-3, 6-1. Melzer had no answers for the pressing Almagro, who won 79 percent of his service points.

It has been more than a year since Almagro reached the finals of a tour event. On Saturday, he will have his hands full against the prowess of number two seed Rafa Nadal.

Looking invincible, Nadal efficiently turned away a challenge from an overmatched Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-3. The match was never in doubt. In the end, even Monfils was awed by his opponent’s genius.

The fans in Madrid would love to see a Federer-Nadal final, but there is some hard Saturday work ahead for the two top seeds.

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