November 15, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1427

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SHANGHAI, Nov 14: Roger Federer survived a furious onslaught by Andy Roddick to put one foot in the Masters Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

The world number one dropped the first set and saved three match points in a tense second-set tie-break before running out the 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 winner.

Federer, who last met Roddick in the US Open final, extended his winning streak against the American to eight matches going back more than three years.

The 2003 and 2004 champion is all but qualified for the last four here after his straight-sets win against David Nalbandian.

The match also made him the first player to earn more than seven million dollars in a season, with career earnings of more than 27 million dollars.

But Federer, who has never lost a Masters Cup round-robin match, can count himself lucky after being rattled by the big-serving American for the first two sets.

Blasting eight aces in the first set and unsettling the Swiss with frequent visits to the net, Roddick won the decisive break on a double-fault in the third game.

Roddick escaped two break points and, serving for the set, survived a brief attack of the nerves as he converted his third chance with a backhand volley.

Federer saved another break point at 2-2 in the second and had Roddick on the ropes at 5-4, but the American escaped three break points.

Tension grew in the Qi Zhong Stadium as the set went to a tie-break and Federer survived three match points with a forehand pass and service winner.

His relief was palpable when Roddick momentarily lost his cool with a wild jumping volley on the Swiss' second set point, tying the match at 1-1.

After breaking Roddick in the third game of the decider, there was only going to be one winner and Federer converted his second match point with his eighth ace of the final set.

Federer also beat Roddick in the 2003 semi-finals in Houston on the way to his first Masters Cup title. He is bidding to become the event's first triple champion.

Nalbandian was playing Ivan Ljubicic in Tuesday's later Red Group match.

Results from the Tennis Masters Cup on Tuesday:

Singles: Roger Federer (SUI x1) bt Andy Roddick (USA x5) 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4.

Red Group (doubles): Paul Hanley/Kevin Ullyett (AUS/ZIM x4) bt Jonathan Erlich/Andy Ram (ISR x7) 6-4, 6-4.

Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA x1) bt Martin Damm/Leander Paes (CZE/IND x6) 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5).—AFP