MADRID — Roger Federer's dominance of Andy Roddick carried over to their first meeting on clay, defeating the American 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-1 today to reach the Madrid Open semifinals.

Federer improved his record to 18-2 against the sixth-ranked Roddick.

"His game translates well to most anything," Roddick said.

Roddick broke in the second game to take a 2-0 lead before Federer broke back and held for 2-2.

Federer, a winner in 2007 when the tournament was played on indoor hard court, broke again in the 11th game before serving out the set.

Searching for his first win on clay over a top 10 player, Roddick saved three break points in the ninth game of the second set to hold on for a tiebreaker, where he rallied from 3-0 down to even the match.

But Federer stopped the momentum with an early break in the third and used his strong serving to hold on for the win. Federer won 49 of 56 first-serve points and hit 15 aces.

"It was a close match. I bounced back well in the third," Federer said. "I feel I have decent control over the ball this week."

Roddick was the fresher of the two players, receiving a walkover into the quarterfinals after Nikolay Davydenko withdrew with a leg injury.

"There are some good things to take out of it," Roddick said. "I've definitely felt worse going into the French Open."

Later, top-ranked Rafael Nadal was to play Spanish Davis Cup teammate Fernando Verdasco.

On the women's side, Amelie Mauresmo will play Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals.

Mauresmo rallied for a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 win over Agnes Szavay, while Wozniacki beat qualifier Vera Dushevina 6-0, 6-4 for her tour-high 72nd win of the season.

Mauresmo broke for a 3-1 lead in the second set. The 21st-ranked Frenchwoman broke her Hungarian opponent to open the third before saving a break chance for a 2-0 lead.