US Open: Federer into semis

NEW YORK: Two-time defending champion Roger Federer continued his mastery over Americans at the US Open, beating fifth seed James Blake to reach the semi-finals.

The 25-year-old Swiss superstar overpowered Blake 7-6 (9-7), 6-0, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4 on Thursday to extend his win streak against US opponents to 27 matches.

Andy Roddick, who Federer could meet in Sunday's final, is the last American to beat him but that was three years ago in Montreal.

It wasn't classic Federer but he found a way to win and tie Ivan Lendl's record of 10 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals.

"I could have locked it up earlier," Federer said. "I took a while today. But in the end it was great tennis."

Federer fired off nine aces, looking flash in taking the second set in just 22 minutes in the 2hr, 47min evening match in front of 23,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

He also hammered 59 winners and had a 79 percent success rate on his first serve. Blake made 41 unforced errors and made four double faults.

Federer is also bidding to become the first since Lendl in 1987 to post three successive US Open crowns.

Blake failed in his bid to make it to his first Grand Slam semi-final and now owns a dismal 1-8 record when facing a number one player.

He did make Federer look human in the third set by becoming the first to take a set off him in the tournament.

Blake, who grew up in the New York area, is enjoying one of the best hardcourt seasons of his career but like almost every ATP player, good results fly out the window when facing the Swiss magician.