Roger Federer finds form on clay

The central court is shown during the Monte Carlo Masters Series quarterfinals in Monaco on Friday. Roger Federer faced Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Top-ranked Roger Federer feels he's ahead of schedule in his bid to win the French Open. Rafael Nadal believes he's starting to reach his potential.

Both easily won quarterfinals on Friday at the Monte Carlo Masters, dropping only seven games combined, and are one victory away from meeting in today's final.

Federer defeated eighth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 6-3 in just over one hour, and took a 5-0 record into his semifinal yesterday against No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

Defending champion Nadal beat No. 6 Guillermo Coria of Argentina 6-2, 6-1 in 70 minutes, winning 11 straight games after trailing 0-2, and next meets 2004 French Open champion Gaston Gaudio.

"I really have the feeling my game is in place very early in the season on clay," said Federer, a seven-time Grand Slam champion who has won every major except the French. "I have the feeling I'm playing a little bit better than last year [on clay],"

Federer cruised to a 4-0 second-set lead in under 40 minutes, before a brief lapse in concentration let his opponent win three games.

"I was playing so well that it was hard to keep it up," Federer said. "I did not finish off some points I should have."

He felt the performance cemented certain improvements in his clay-court game.

"I have more security from the baseline. I am playing more safe, and when I want to play aggressive, obviously I can always do that," he said. "I played excellent today."

Federer improved to 32-1 overall in reaching the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals for the first time, while second-ranked Nadal of Spain extended his winning streak on clay to 40 matches.

After below-par performances in earlier rounds, Nadal considered Friday's victory his "best match of the week" following extra practice with his coach Thursday night to work on his backhand.

"I'm very happy with how I played, it was a complete match," said Nadal. "I got some confidence back. My backhand was not 100 percent today, but it was good."