By DPA
Madrid : Top-seeded Roger Federer booked a semi-final berth in the Madrid Masters by beating Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 here.
Federer had to fight through a duel with big-serving lefty Lopez, who has now lost all six of his meetings with the world No.1.
It took one hour, 36 minutes for Federer to prevail for his 57th win of the season, as he chases a seventh 2007 trophy.
Lopez held off the top seed, allowing Federer just one break in 11 opportunities and contributing 11 aces.
Lopez went out just a few hours after local hero Rafael Nadal was embarrassed by David Nalbandian in a first-time meeting. Nalbandian stunned the sluggish Nadal 6-1, 6-2 to produce his best showing of a poor season.
Nalbandian, Masters Cup champion two years ago, had done little in 2007, a quarterfinal at Barcelona the best he could offer. But all that changed as he hammered Nadal in their first career meeting.
Nadal came into the Nalbandian match carrying the knee tendonitis that has affected both joints for several months.
This week was the first event for the three-time French Open winner since a fourth-round exit seven weeks ago at the US Open.
Nadal had little to offer in the 71-minute trouncing, as he lost serve five times and managed a mere five winners against 29 unforced errors.
On Saturday night, Nalbandian will face third seed Novak Djokovic, who won his 10th match in a row despite an ankle problem to defeat Mario Ancic 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.
The Serb world number three came to Spain after winning the Vienna title last weekend and also contributing to his nation’s Davis Cup success since losing the US Open final six weeks ago to Federer.