Federer beats Ferrer for semi-final spot

TORONTO, Aug 9 (AFP): Roger Federer marked his 33rd birthday by beating David Ferrer for the 15th straight time to reach the semi-finals of the ATP Tour's Toronto Masters tournament Friday.

A sellout crowd sang Happy Birthday to the second seed early in the second set, and cheered post-match as the 17-time grand slam winner was presented with an oversised chocolate cake to mark the occasion. Federer remains a perfect 4-0 on matches played on his birthday.

"At 33 it's a dream to be playing tennis at this level," said Federer, who lost his first set to Ferrer since 2010 as the Spanish fifth seed took the match into a deciding third set after losing ten previous sets in a row against the Swiss.

"I really enjoyed the match, it's always a challenge against David. My goals now are to stay injury-free and try and go out on my terms.

"I have two titles this year and I hope to win more, It all starts again tomorrow on the court." Federer will face his next test against another Spaniard when he takes on Feliciano Lopez, a winner over Canadian sixth seed and 2013 finalist Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.