Federer, Roddick in Thailand Open semis

Bangkok:

Top-ranked Roger Federer secured a Thailand Open semifinal berth with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win today over a determined Robin Soderling of Sweden. Second-seeded Andy Roddick stormed into the semifinals, using powerful serves to down Thomas Johansson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4 in just 43 minutes. Hunting for title Hunting for his 10th title of the season, Federer was two points away from losing the first set before summoning his experience to overcome the 20-year-old Soderling at Impact Arena. Eighth-seeded Soderling maintained the pressure on Federer in the second set, but made too many unforced errors against the world's No. 1-ranked player. Federer broke for a 3-2 lead in the second, which he extended to 5-4. After serving to set up match point, the Swiss blasted his 14th ace of the match to end it. The big-serving Roddick fired 20 aces to beat Johansson, the 2002 Australian Open champion.