(adds Federer quotes)
By Simon Cambers
CINCINNATI, Aug 17 - Top seed Roger Federer
struggled to a 6-3 3-6 6-2 victory over Spaniard Nicolas Almagro
on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.
The world number one was unusually erratic as he dropped his
first set of the week before recovering his poise to set up a
clash with Lleyton Hewitt.
"I actually think I played better today than I did
yesterday," Federer told reporters. "The only problem was I had
one really bad game which cost me the second set.
"I still thought my serving was good today and I hit better
from the baseline."
Federer, looking for his 50th career title, broke in the
sixth game but immediately dropped his serve before breaking for
a second time to take the opening set.
Almagro, appearing in his sixth quarter-final of the year,
broke serve in the eighth game of the second set to level the
match before an early break in the decider was enough to take
Federer through.
COMMANDING PERFORMANCE
Hewitt, twice a runner-up here, produced a commanding
performance to beat fellow former world number one Carlos Moya
6-2 6-4 and reach his fourth semi-final of the season.
World number 19 Moya defeated fourth seed Novak Djokovic of
Serbia earlier this week but the Spaniard made too many unforced
errors against Hewitt.
"I am playing well at the moment," the Australian told
reporters. "I thought my court coverage was exceptional today.
"But it's hard to close him out, he's such a strong player."
Federer has won his previous 10 meetings with Hewitt,
including a straight-sets victory last week in Montreal.
"I don't think the nine in a row mattered much before last
week because we hadn't played for about two years," said the
Swiss. "In two years a lot of things happen.
"It's good I played him last week so I've got an idea of how
he plays."
Later on Friday, ninth seed James Blake plays fellow
American Sam Querrey while fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko takes on
Spanish 16th seed David Ferrer.