The Swiss number one seed produced only glimpses of his best form, but found the big shots when he needed them.

He broke the American 12th seed in the first game of each set and even though Blake fought back, Federer proved too strong in sealing a 7-5 7-6 6-4 win.

Federer will face Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic in the last four.

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Brazil set to host 2014 World Cup ... was an efficient performance from the world number one, who got off to the perfect start when he broke Blake on his first service game.

However, the American produced a series of powerful forehands to immediately strike back and, despite Federer finding his range, Blake was competing on level terms with the Swiss, who has not been at his imperious best during the tournament.

Typically, though, Federer raised his game in taking a 6-5 lead and put the pressure on Blake's serve to break him and take the set.

The second set started like the first, but again Blake continued to test Federer with his athleticism around the court and aggression on first serve.

The American was forced to save two sets points on his own serve, but Federer made the most of his vast experience in winning the second-set tie-break 7-4.

Blake's hopes of producing a remarkable turnaround ended when Federer broke him in the first and fifth games of the third set and, although the American broke back at 5-2, the Swiss favourite served out at the second time of asking to seal the match.

The victory sent Federer into a remarkable 15th successive Grand Slam semi-final and continued his flawless record against Blake, which now stretches to eight matches.

However, he may have to up his game when he faces the in-form Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set in this tournament his year.

(BBC)

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