Federer advances to Estoril semis

ESTORIL, Portugal, May 7 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Roger Federer took a straight-set victory Friday into the semifinals of the Estoril Open tennis tournament in Portugal.

Federer, who won the event in 2008, needed more than an hour and a half but escaped Arnaud Clement's challenge 7-6 (9-7), 6-2. Federer lost only 17 points on serve, including five in four service games in the second set.

Federer will face fourth-seeded and defending Estoril champion Albert Montanes in Saturday's semifinals. Montanes defeated No. 8-seeded Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 6-3 in his quarterfinal.

The other semifinal has fifth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez matched against local favorite Frederico Gil. Garcia-Lopez advanced when Alberto Martin retired with a stomach ailment. Garcia-Lopez was ahead 6-0, 2-0 at the time. Gil took a 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 decision from countryman Rui Machado.