Federer earns revenge over Nalbandian in fighting Rome semi-final

May 13, 2006, 16:19 GMT

Rome - Top seed Roger Federer outlasted Argentine David Nalbandian in a struggle lasting nearly three hours, earning a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory into the final of the 2.08-million-euro Rome Masters Saturday.

The Swiss world number 1 was made to battle a day after going three sets against Spanish youngster Nicolas Almagro.

Despite being made to work hard on the clay of the Foro Italico, Federer, who lost the 2003 final to Spain's Felix Mantilla, is ready for Sunday's best-of-five-set final against either hot rival Rafael Nadal or young Frenchman Gael Monfils.

'I've had two tough matches in two days,' said Federer, 38-2 this season. 'I'm happy with the way that I'm playing.

'And I'm glad to be in a second final here. Now I have to rest and recover for that match.'

Federer's victory broke a win streak on clay for fourth seed Nalbandian which stretched back nine matches.

The Argentine, who had lost four of his previous five contests against Federer, won the Estoril title last weekend.

Nalbandian's last win over Federer came in the November final of the Masters Cup, when he defeated the Swiss for the year-end title.

Nadal is the only man to have beaten Federer this season, at finals at Dubai and Monte Carlo.

The reigning French Open champion is bidding for history as he rides a clay-court win streak of 51 matches.

If he wins a second straight title in Rome, he will level on the all-time clay-court win streak of 53 victories, set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas in 1977.