ATP World No. 1 Roger Federer (pictured) recorded his 500th career win and surpassed $30 million in career prize money on Friday.
Last year’s beaten finalist Federer made it six straight wins against David Ferrer of Spain, with a 6-4, 6-0 victory in 59 minutes for a place in the semifinals of ATP Masters Series Monte-Carlo.
Ferrer won only 20 points on serve as Federer converted six of 10 break point opportunities for his 17th victory in 19 matches this year.
So far in 2007 Federer has won his 10th Grand Slam at the Australian Open over Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and his 47th career title in Dubai (d. Youzhny).
Only Spaniard Carlos Moya, with a 516-273 career record, has more wins on the ATP circuit than the 25-year-old from Switzerland. Federer improves to 500-127.
The top seed will next meet Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, the No. 16 seed and two-time former champion, who defeated French No. 11 seed Richard Gasquet 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours and 27 minutes.
Ferrero trailed the 20-year-old Frenchman by one set and 4-1 before he started to comeback in the pair’s first career meeting. Ferrero hit five aces and won 63 of 96 points on first service.
The former World No. 1, currently No. 21 in the ATP Rankings, improved his record to 26-5 in Monte Carlo. Ferrero clinched the 2002 (d. Moya) and 2003 (d. Coria) titles.
This year he has reached the Costa do Sauipe final (l. to Canas) and made a semifinal exit at Acapulco (l. to Moya) for a 16-8 match record.
Gasquet had been bidding to record his 100th career win, but the World No. 15 falls to 18-8 this year. His best performance in Monte Carlo came two years ago when he beat Federer in the quarterfinals before losing to Nadal.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Federer: "I finally kind of felt the ball really good from the baseline. I just felt like it was easy to keep the ball in play. It was easy to play aggressive. And usually that always happens against the best players. David, he's a very good player in my point of view. He's an excellent grinder and baseline player, and if he plays very well it's so hard to beat him. But I always find a way against him to overpower him from the baseline and just have enough variety to maybe frustrate him a bit. When I needed good shots they come along, and today was a really good match so I'm really pleased."
On the most memorable win of his 500 career wins: "First one is probably the [Pete] Sampras win comes to my mind. Always going to stay the most special one for me. First Wimbledon Centre Court appearance, first and only time against Pete and I beat him. It was an incredible match. If I had to pick one it would probably be that one."
MONTE CARLO RE-CAP
Day 6: Berdych Wins 12 Games in a Row Against Soderling
Day 5: Federer, Nadal Fire into Quarterfinals
Day 4: Nadal Sends Warning to Rivals
Day 4: Djokovic Keeps Alive Winning Streak
Day 3: Federer, Gasquet Claim Tough Opening Wins
Day 2: Mirnyi Charges to Victory over Baghdatis
Day 1: Safin Sinks Nieminen in First Round
