GSTAAD (Switzerland), July 11: Wimbledon champion Roger Federer was given a walkover into the semifinals of the Swiss Open on Friday when his opponent David Sanchez of Spain pulled out with a knee injury.

To the dismay of the local fans keen to witness their compatriot extend his run of 14 straight match wins since April 4, the 21-year-old was given a welcome rest that boosted his hopes of winning his home title for the first time.

Federer is seeking to win the Swiss Open, played on an outdoor clay court, for the first time. In five previous attempts he has lost in the first round four times, only once reaching the second round.

Earlier, Radek Stepanek and Jiri Novak both advanced to a last four meeting, guaranteeing one Czech Republic player a place in the final.

Eighth seed Stepanek beat second-seeded German Rainer Schuettler 6-4 6-2 while third seed Novak disposed of fifth seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 6-3 6-3.

Novak’s victory was his first in three meetings with Chela and prompted him to suggest he had rediscovered his best form. But, he warned, that was not likely to be any assurance of an easy passage against compatriot Stepanek in their all-Czech semifinal.

Results (quarterfinals) Jiri Novak bt Juan-Ignacio Chela 6-3 6-3; Radek Stepanek bt Rainer Schuettler 6-4 6-2; Roger Federer bt David Sanchez walkover; Gaston Gaudio bt Stefan Koubek 6-3 6-1.

Swedish Open results

BASTAD (Sweden): Results from the 380,000 euro ATP Swedish Open tournament on Friday:

Quarterfinals Nicolas Lapentti bt Rafael Nadal 3-6 6-3 7-6 (8-6); Mariano Zabaleta bt Mikhail Youzhny 4-6 7-5 6-1; Carlos Moya bt Jonas Bjorkman 6-4 6-3.—Reuters