Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer [Images] enjoyed a smooth 6-3, 6-2 win over Czech Robin Vik to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Open on Thursday.

World number two Rafael Nadal [Images] withstood a strong first set challenge before defeating Britain's Tim Henman 7-6, 6-1.

Nadal will play Rainer Schuettler after Bjorn Phau was unable to follow up his victory over Andre Agassi [Images] and was beaten 6-4, 6-1 in the all-German battle.

Federer was rarely stretched by Vik who rallied well at times but had nothing in his game to cause concern.

Federer faced two break points immediately after breaking to lead 2-0 but fired four consecutive aces to hold serve.

Carelessness from Federer allowed Vik, who was playing only his 28th match on the ATP tour, to level at 3-3. The Swiss world number one forced a forehand error to break again for 5-4 and he served out the set to love.

Federer faced three more break points in his first service game of the second set, before he held and then broke for 3-2. A crosscourt forehand winner gave him a second break for 5-2.

"I'm not sure if I played much better than before, but it's just the feeling I have now, it's more relaxed," Federer, playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open, told reporters.

"I know how to play and the service motion, all of that, is coming together. It always takes a couple of matches to get that feeling back, and I think tonight that was the case."

Federer will next play Russia's [Images] Mikhail Youzhny, who reached his first semi-final of the year when he overwhelmed Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-1.

CONSIDERABLE CLASS

Henman, 31, showed considerable class against the Spanish teenager but he lacked consistency and was ultimately overpowered even though he held the advantage early in both sets.

"The first set was tough," Nadal said. "Henman played very aggressively. He's a very good player and it's difficult when he plays his slice. It's unbelievable and I had some problems.

"I also had some problems in some games with my serve... but I finished the match serving much better."

Henman was unable to convert three break points in the second game and two more after Nadal had broken to lead 3-2 with a return off a second serve.

The French Open champion led 5-3 and held four set points on Henman's serve. Henman eventually held with an ace and a double-fault then allowed Nadal to level at 5-5.

After a tiebreak in which Henman managed to earn just one point Nadal had to resist three break points at 1-1.

He then broke Henman to love with a forehand winner that grazed the sideline. After holding to love, Nadal broke for 5-1 when Henman netted a forehand and Nadal closed out the match with his ninth ace.

Henman was able to draw several positives from his defeat, not least that his fragile back has given him no trouble.

"I think at the start of the match I was the one playing the better tennis and dictating the play, and when you get those opportunities you've got to try and take them," said Henman, who this week surrendered his British number ranking to Andy Murray.

"It's good and bad. I feel frustrated with the outcome, obviously, and somewhat disappointed with my performance."

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