Federer, Djokovic cross paths in semis

ROME – Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic won to meet in the Rome Masters semifinals, while three-time champion Rafael Nadal loomed larger in the other half of the draw.

Nadal cruised past eighth-seeded Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-3, improving to 8-0 against his fellow Spaniard, and will next face 12th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, who struggled past Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal and Gonzalez will face each other at Foro Italico for the third time in four years: Nadal won their 2006 quarterfinal and 2007 final.

Federer put down net-charging left-handed German qualifier Mischa Zverev 7-6 (3), 6-2; and Djokovic stayed on course to defend his title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.  (AP)