MADRID:

Roger Federer moved a step closer to winning his 10th title of 2006 with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) quarter-finals win over Robby Ginepri at the Madrid Masters. Federer advanced to the semis for the first time since 2003 to face David Nalbandian, who avenged his 2004 final defeat by beating Marat Safin 6-4, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2). The Swiss — who is vying to become the first player in the Open era to win 10 titles three straight years — tied Ivan Lendl’s 24-year mark of successive 80-win in a season.