Federer To Face Tsonga In Qatar Open Semis

(January 5, 2012) Roger Federer beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to progress to the semifinals of the Qatar Open on Thursday.

Federer was almost flawless on serve in the first set as he lost only six points. He also won more than half of his receiving points, which lead to him earning two breaks of serve.

The second set was a complete reversal in momentum, as the Swiss 16-time Grand Slam champion quickly fell behind 5-1. Although he came back to 5-5, he played a sloppy service game to lose the second set.

Although both players excelled on serve in the third set, Federer earned the crucial break midway through.

"It was tough, I started well and was able to take control in the second set he started to hit the ball better and in the third (set) it was close," Federer said.

Federer will face third-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who dismissed 66th-ranked Albert Ramos 6-2, 6-1, next.

Tsonga won 73 percent of his service points and 52 percent of his returning points, which enabled him to finish the match in one hour and seven minutes.

Federer and Tsonga have been frequent rivals. Since one year ago, when they met in the final of the Qatar Open, the pair has faced off eight times. Although Federer won six of those matches, Tsonga beat him at Wimbledon in five sets.

In fact, most of their recent matches have gone the distance, including their two matches at the ATP World Tour finals in November.

"I'm looking forward to playing him," said Federer in an on-court interview. "I hope we can live up to expectations."

In the top half of the draw, Rafael Nadal overcame Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-4 to earn his spot in the final four. He will face Gael Monfils, who dismissed Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-3 in the evening match.

Nadal will certainly be the favorite against the Frenchman as he's won eight of their nine previous matches. Monfils' only win came at the 2009 Qatar Open.