Federer cruises past Verdasco in Hamburg quarters

HAMBURG, Germany, May 16 (Reuters) - Holder Roger Federer beat unseeded Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters on Friday.

The world number one saw off a determined challenge from the Spaniard at the start of the second set, saving several break points.

But Verdasco appeared to be suffering from a problem with his right ankle later in the set and Federer was able to break serve twice and cruise to victory.

The Swiss will meet either Nicolas Kiefer of Germany or Italy's Andreas Seppi in Saturday's semi-final. The unseeded pair play their quarter-final later on Friday.

There are three other Spaniards in Friday's remaining two quarters.

Second seed Rafael Nadal takes on fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya and Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays Albert Montanes. (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Alan Baldwin)