Berdych fights back to reach Monte Carlo semi-finals

MONTE CARLO, Apr 20 (Reuters) Czech Tomas Berdych came back from the brink of elimination to reach the Monte Carlo Masters Series semi-finals with a 5-7 6-3 6-0 victory over Swede Robin Soederling today.

Tenth seed Berdych meets either German qualifier Philipp Kohlschreiber or holder Rafael Nadal for a place in Sunday's final.

Nadal is hoping to extend his record winning streak on clay to 65 matches.

Following an exchange of breaks, Soederling took his opponent's serve in the 12th game to clinch the opening set when Berdych sent a forehand wide.

The Swede opened a 3-0 gap in the second set before Berdych suddenly woke up and won 12 games in a row.

''We did not play our best tennis in the first set and then I never gave up and played much better,'' Berdych said in a courtside interview.

Later yesterday, world number one Roger Federer takes on Spaniard David Ferrer, who has never won a set against the Swiss in their five previous encounters.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet plays 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.

Reuters TB GC1728