Nikolay Davydenko looked virtually unbeatable Wednesday in reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Davydenko, seeded fourth, defeated No. 10 Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in their quarter-final match at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center.
"I don't have a hat," Haas said, "but I tip it to Nikolay."
Anna Chakvetadze hits a forehand in Wednesday's win over Shahar Peer.
(Timothy Clary/Getty Images)
Davydenko, who has yet to lose a set in the tournament, will play Roger Federer of Switzerland, who is gunning for his fourth consecutive Grand Slam title.
Federer, the top seed and three-time defending champion, handled American Andy Roddick 7-6(5) 7-6(4) 6-2 in an evening match.
"It was a very high-standard match," Federer said. "I was very pleased with my performance.
"I'm maintaining this great ability of coming up with the important wins when I have to. I'm always at my best at the Slams."
Federer has prevailed in 14 of 15 meetings with Roddick, who won the U.S. Open in 2003.
"Actually, Andy also played very well," Federer said.
"I'm not walking off with any questions in my head this time, I'm not walking with my head down," Roddick stated. "I made him play as well as he can play."
Federer is 9-0 versus Davydenko.
"I have got a pretty good record against him — never lost," Federer said. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Chakvetadze advances
On the women's side, sixth-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia merited her first berth in a Grand Slam semifinal by virtue of a 6-4, 6-1 victory over No. 18 Shahar Peer of Israel.
"I'm so excited," Chakvetadze said. "I was so nervous before the match.
"Even though it was straight sets, it was a really tough match. "[In the second set] I just started to play more aggressively and Shahar's level went down a bit, so I took my opportunity."
"She is playing really good tennis the last few months," Peer noted. "And I think it's just a matter of time [until] I'll get there."
Chakvetadze will challenge fourth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the semifinals.
Kuznetsova, winner of the 2004 U.S. Open, knocked off unseeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-1, 6-4 to advance.
"It is my favourite tournament, I love New York," Kuznetsova said. "It doesn't matter how I feel, I just come to this court and always want to give my best."
Two-time champion Venus Williams of the United States, the 12th seed, outlasted No. 3 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) to reach the semifinals for the first time in five years.
Williams will oppose top-seeded Justine Henin of Belgium, who bounced Serena Williams 7-6 (3), 6-1 on Tuesday.
"I was so disappointed [for Serena]," Williams said. "I watched.
"More than anything, she is my little sister, so watching her be upset is hard for me. I've got to play well Friday for her."
With files from the Associated Press
