FEDERER - NALBANDIAN

Roger Federer rallied from a set down to defeat David Nalbandian 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 Friday and advanced to the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Federer leads 9-8 against the Argentine after losing their previous two meetings last year.

The top-ranked Swiss was shaky in the first set before dominating the next two and breaking Nalbandian five times in five chances, including the first match point.

Federer next plays either third-seeded Novak Djokovic or unseeded Sam Querrey in the semifinals. They played later Friday.

Also, fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated unseeded Igor Andreev 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 despite losing his serve seven times.

At 5-2 in the third set, Federer sent a superb forehand winner down the line, and a crisp backhand made it 0-40. Federer took the match with a crosscourt winner on the run that Nalbandian couldn't get near.

Nalbandian won the first match against Federer six years ago in the second round at Monte Carlo -- the first of five consecutive wins for Nalbandian.

Federer took eight of the next nine meetings, then Nalbandian beat Federer twice last year in the Madrid Masters final and the third round of the Paris Masters.