Federer overcomes Janowicz

Rome - World number three Roger Federer overcame big-hitting Pole Jerzy Janowicz 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) on Friday to set up a Rome Masters semi-final with French upstart Benoit Paire.

Federer wrapped up the first set comfortably but in a tighter second set the Swiss was forced into a series of unforced errors by the service game of the giant 23-year-old from Lodz.

Janowicz built a 5-4 lead in the second set after hitting two aces.

But the Pole, standing at 2.03 metres tall, squandered a chance to level the match when he made two double faults in the 10th game.

Federer fought back to level at 6-6 and dominated Janowicz in the tie-break.