Roger Federer beat Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-4 after 78 minutes to reach the fourth semifinal of his career at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Federer will take on Juan Martin Del Potro, who edged Viktor Troicki in three sets.
Federer wasted a break point in the third game but fended off a break point in the sixth game. The Swiss legend converted his second break point of the match in the 11th game before serving out for 7-5 with ease in the next game.
Federer broke in the first game of the second set but Gasquet broke straight back in the next game to draw level to 1-1. Gasquet held on his serve until the seventh game, when Federer got the decisive break to take a 4-3 lead. Federer held on to his serve to wrap up the match in the 10th game.
Federer won 79 % of his first serve points, broke three times and fended off two of the three break points he faced. The World number 2 has extended his win-loss record against Gasquet to 16-2 in their 18 head-to-head matches.
