ROME, May 11: Wild card Filippo Volandri became the first Italian player to reach the semi-finals of the Rome Masters in 29 years when he swept past 12th seed Tomas Berdych 6-2 6-3 on Friday.

Berdych had not lost a set in three matches on his way to the quarter-final, but was outclassed by the world number 53, who had pulled off the surprise of the tournament by eliminating Roger Federer in the last 16.

The last home player to reach the last four in the Italian capital was Adriano Panatta, who lost out to Bjorn Borg in the 1978 final.

“This win was just as important as yesterday's. Berdych might not be Federer, but he's still an excellent player,” Volandri told Italy's Sky television.

Fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko also advanced into the semi-finals, fighting back from an error-strewn start to beat Spanish claycourter Tommy Robredo 1-6 6-3 6-3.

In the last four, Davydenko will face the winner of the later match between defending champion Rafael Nadal and fifth seed Novak Djokovic.

Results on Friday - (Quarter-finals).

Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x5) 6-2, 6-3; Filippo Volandri (ITA) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x12) 6-2, 6-3; Nikolay Davydenko (RUS x4) bt Tommy Robredo (ESP x7) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.—Reuters