Italian Open: Roger Federer thrashes Tomas Berdych to sail into semi-finals

World number two Roger Federer produced a perfect blend of precision and power to cruise into the semifinal round of the Italian Open with a straight set win over sixth seeded Tomas Berdych on Friday.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion remained on course for his maiden title in Rome as he overcame Berdych 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted just 67 minutes. The Swiss maestro will next face either seven-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal or eighth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka in a blockbuster semifinal on Saturday, Sport24 reported.

David Ferrer, meanwhile, defeated David Goffin of Belgium 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 and will meet the winner of a match between world number one Novak Djokovic and fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori.