Federer cruises into Dubai semi-finals

DUBAI, March 2 (Reuters) Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer enjoyed a smooth 6-3 6-2 win over Czech Robin Vik, who was playing only his 28th match on the ATP tour, to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Open today.

Earlier, world number two Rafael Nadal withstood a strong first set challenge before defeating Britain's Tim Henman 7-6 6-1.

Federer was rarely stretched by Vik who rallied well at times but had nothing in his game to cause concern.

Federer faced two break points immediately after breaking to lead 2-0 but fired four consecutive aces to hold serve.

Carelessness from Federer allowed Vik to level at 3-3 but the Swiss world number one forced a forehand error to break again for 5-4 and he served out the set to love.

Federer faced three more break points in his first service game of the second set, before he held and then broke for 3-2. A crosscourt forehand winner gave him a second break for 5-2.

Federer will next play Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, who reached his first semi-final of the year when he overwhelmed Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3 6-1.

REUTERS SI PM2244