SHANGHAI: Roger Federer overcame a set-second lapse against Guillermo Coria at the tennis Masters Cup to claim his 34th consecutive win.

Federer had a stop-start 6-0, 1-6, 6-2 win over fourth-seeded Coria on Thursday, topping the Red Group ahead of the semifinals.

Argentina's David Nalbandian joined him in the semifinals on a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic in 67 minutes, serving out at love in the last game.

Meanwhile Californian twins Bob and Mike Bryan battled into the doubles semifinals with a dramatic three-set victory over Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic.

Paes and Zimonjic finished second in the group and qualified for the semifinals but there was heartbreak for Australian duo Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley, who are out on sets despite beating Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor.

The Bryan brothers, beaten by Arthurs and Hanley in their first match, lost a second-set tie-breaker 7-5 after taking the first set.

They held their nerve as the third-set tie-breaker went to nine points, eventually prevailing 7-5, 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7).The Bryan brothers, who entertained the crowds with a rock concert on Wednesday, were crowned year-end number one on Wednesday when nearest challengers Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi lost to Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro.

The results: Round Robin (singles): Red Group: David Nalbandian bt Ivan Ljubicic 6-2, 6-2; Roger Federer bt Guillermo Coria 6-0, 1-6, 6-2.

Doubles: Red Group: Wayne Arthurs / Paul Hanley bt Mark Knowles / Daniel Nestor 6-3, 6-4; Bob / Mike Bryan bt Leander Paes / Nenad Zimonjic 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(7). — Agencies

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