World No. 1
Roger Federer notched his 22nd straight tour win following a 6-3, 7-6(14) victory over fifth-seeded
David Ferrer to advance to the semifinals in his native Basel on Friday.
"I think I was trying to risk a bit more in front of my home crowd today, so I'm just lucky that it paid off in the end," Federer told reporters.
Ferrer failed to convert six set points in the second set tiebreak.
This year Federer is 85-5 and will look to improve his ATP match record against
Paradorn Srichaphan, who made it four wins out of four against
Jose Acasuso in a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory.
Federer's countryman
Stanislas Wawrinka will play third seed and defending champion
Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals.
Wawrinka knocked out reigning Tennis Masters Cup champion
David Nalbandian 7-6(7), 6-2, while Gonzo outlasted Argentine teen Juan Martin del Potro 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
