ROME : Third-ranked David Nalbandian defeated Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-3 to advance into the semifinals of the Rome Masters on Friday.

Nalbandian's ninth straight win came after he won his first title of the year last week in Estoril. He struggled to a three-set win over Spanish qualifier Fernando Vicente in the first round in Rome, but has had little trouble since.

"When I arrived from my win in Estoril, I was a little tired. But I've gotten better and I'm in top form now," Nalbandian said.

The tall Croat played more aggressively but committed twice as many unforced errors as Nalbandian — 32 to 16. Both players hit 17 winners as Nalbandian improved to 4-0 in his career against Ancic.

In the semifinals, Nalbandian will face either top-ranked Roger Federer or Spanish qualifier Nicolas Almagro. Nalbandian will be trying to match his performance here in 2004, when he lost the final to Carlos Moya.

In the other half of the draw, second-ranked Rafael Nadal was up against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and fifth-seeded Andy Roddick faced Gael Monfils.

Nadal was aiming for his 51st straight win on clay. He can match Guillermo Vilas' Open-era record 53-match winning streak on the surface if he successfully defends his title here.

Petrova struggles

In Berlin, Nadia Petrova struggled past fellow Russian Dinara Safina, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the German Open to take her winning streak on clay to 13 matches.

The fourth-ranked Petrova had trouble keeping the ball in before rallying from a set behind and 3-0 down in the second to become the first player to reach the semifinals.

A day earlier at the key French Open tune-up, she complained of fatigue after playing more than two hours and three sets against China's Zheng Jie.

Petrova, who won American clay court events at Amelia Island and Charleston, next faces China's Li Na who defeated Patty Schnyder in a marathon match.

The results: At Rome (ATP Rome Masters): Quarterfinals: David Nalbandian bt Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-3. Third round: Fernando Gonzalez bt Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4; Andy Roddick bt Greg Rusedski 7-6(4), 6-2.

At Berlin (WTA German Open): Quarterfinals: Nadia Petrova bt Dinara Safina 3-6, 6-4. 6-3; Li Na bt Patty Schnyder 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(1). Third round: Patty Schnyder bt Anna Smashnova 6-3, 6-3; Nadia Petrova bt Zheng Jie 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4; Amelie Mauresmo bt Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 6-2.

At Prague (WTA ECM Prague Open): Second round: Magdalena Rybarikova bt Milagros Sequera 7-6(3), 6-0; Samantha Stosur bt Akiko Morigami 6-2, 6-1; Emilie Loit bt Karolina Sprem 6-4, 6-3; Shuai Peng bt Michaela Pastikova 6-2, 6-4. — Agencies

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