Toronto, August 12 :

World number one Roger Federer and British teen Andy Murray outlasted rivals over three sets to reach the semi-finals of the $2.5 million Rogers Cup tournament.

Federer dispatched Belgian Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, winning his 16th match in a row and will face Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez, who beat Argentine Jose Acasuso 6-1, 7-5.

Murray continued to struggle with closing out opponents in beating Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-7 (0/7), 6-3. He will face France’s Richard Gasquet, who ousted Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-1.

JP Morgan Chase

CARSON: Top-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova avenged a French Open fourth-round defeat with a 6-2, 6-4 win over compatriot Dinara Safina to reach the semi-finals of the $600,000 JPMorgan Chase Open. Sharapova will face Russian Elena Dementieva, who beat Bethanie Mattek 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Serena Williams advanced to the semis with a 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4 win over Meghann Shaughnessy. Jelena Jankovic beat fellow Serbian Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 7-6 (8/6).