Federer gains revenge against Soderling

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Roger Federer reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open Wednesday and gained a measure of revenge as well with a victory over Robin Soderling.

Soderling defeated Federer in the quarterfinals of the French Open this year, ending Federer's amazing streak of 23 consecutive semifinal appearances in grand slam tournaments.

Federer came back from a break down in the third set Wednesday for a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory that created a semifinal match against Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic eliminated Gael Monfils earlier in the day 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 6-2.

Federer is seeking the 17th major title of his career. He won five straight U.S. Open crowns before losing in last year's final to Juan Martin del Potro.

That was the only one of the last 10 major championships not won by either Federer or Rafael Nadal.

Nadal will play in one of the other quarterfinals Thursday against Fernando Verdasco. Stanislas Wawrinka will take on Mikhail Youzhny in the other quarterfinal match.