Fabulous Federer pockets 800th career win

PARIS, Nov 12 (AFP): Tennis icon Roger Federer won the 800th match of his storied career on Friday with a 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Argentine Juan Monaco to set up a semi-final at the Paris Master with Tomas Berdych. The Swiss holder of a record 16 grand slam titles, who lifted his 68th trophy last weekend in Basel, claimed both his first and his most recent wins in France, scoring his first ATP success in September, 1998, in Toulouse over Frenchman Guillaume Raoux. Federer ended after just under 90 minutes against Monaco with his seventh ace, lifting his record to 57-12 on the season. He is the seventh man in tennis history to break the 800-win barrier. He has also won his last 62 matches against players ranked outside the Top 20 as he beat number 34 Monaco. Federer said: "It's nice. It's a lot of matches, a lot of tennis I've played, I know that. But I know there are many other players that have played more tennis than I have. "It's just another win, but it's a special one nevertheless, because 800 is definitely a big number." Earlier Berdych outlasted second seed Andy Murray in a marathon battle of missed opportunities 4-6, 7-6 (75), 6-4. Federer admitted their semi-final could keep fans on the edges of their seats. "I like to take it to Tomas, as well, and he does the same thing. So I think on an indoor court which we both like, it could be really quite spectacular, I think," added the Swiss.