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Stepanek: Second career win over Federer

I wish I could still be playing here (in Rome) but worse things have happened. So I hope I can bounce back strong in Hamburg.

Roger Federer
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Roger Federer's wait to win the Rome Masters will go on for another year after he was sent packing by Radek Stepanek.

The unseeded Czech triumphed 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7) to make sure neither of the top two players in the world would make it through to the last four.

Federer would have had high hopes of lifting the title after seeing defending champion Rafael Nadal, who has won the event for the last three years, humbled in the second round.

However the Swiss star failed to get beyond the quarter-finals, suffering a sixth defeat of the season and a second of his career to Stepanek.

Inspired

The 29-year-old underdog was in inspired form throughout, coming out on top in a close opening set that saw few break chances for either player.

A sublime drop volley gave him a crucial point against the serve in the tie-break and he then served out for a crucial 1-0 lead.

Federer's hopes of a fightback were hit when he lost his first service game in the second set and although he quickly broke back, he then hit two wild errors to hand his opponent a 5-3 lead.

Serving for the match Stepanek suddenly felt the pressure and missed his first chance to seal it, meaning another tie break was required.

Federer was at one stage 4-1 up but then let his rival battle back strongly to take command, clinching victory on his second match point opportunity.

Speaking at a subsequent press conference, Federer said he would respond to his shock exit by successfully defending his Hamburg title next week.

"(It means I have) more time for Hamburg," he said.

"I look forward to defending my title there. I wish I could still be playing here but worse things have happened. So I hope I can bounce back strong in Hamburg."

Stepanek will now play Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic, who progressed after his opponent Nicolas Almagro retired with a wrist problem.

The Australian Open champion had cruised through the first set 6-1 and broke Almagro in the first game of the second before the Spaniard threw in the towel.

Swiss win

Switzerland do at least have one player through to the last four in Italy after Stanislas Wawrinka earned a place in the semi-finals of a Masters event for the first time when he shocked eighth seed James Blake.

Wawrinka hit back from the disappointment of losing the first set to demolish the American 6-7 7-6 6-1 in a match in which he always had the upper hand.

"I'm very, very happy. This is my first semi-final in a Masters Series," he said. "He's a very tough player but I played very well and I'm very happy to be in the semi-final.

"I have a problem because I played the semi-final in Barcelona and now I had a tough match here but I will do everything to be ready tomorrow."

He next plays Andy Roddick who defeated Tommy Robredo 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-4) to reach the finals of the event for the second time.

The American took the first set with the only break and although he was pegged back by the 14th seeded Spaniard, he came out on a top in a third-set tie-breaker.