Roger Federer and David Nalbandian, who advanced into the semifinals here last year, repeated history by making the semifinals at this year's edition on Thursday in Shanghai.

The duo, both in the Red group, got through to the semifinals for the second consecutive year here after beating their respective adversaries in straight sets in the final round-robin matches.

Swiss Federer eased past Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 7-6(2), 6-4 in one hour and 48 minutes while Argentine Nalbandian needed only one hour and 37 minutes to edge past Andy Roddick 7-2, 7-6(4)in an earlier match.

Thus, Federer finishes first in the Red Group with a three-match winning streak and Nalbandian, tied with Ljubicic and Roddick on one win and two losses, places second with set winning advantage by claiming four out of eight sets in total.

Ljubicic and Roddick both finished with a 3-5 ratio.

"What's done is done now. We'll look forward to next year." said 24-year-old Roddick. "It's always a little bit easier to look forward to a vacation than it is trying to qualify."

"I hope I will come to Shanghai for the third straight year (in 2007). Last year I was in at the last second. I hope I can be able to prepare properly next year," said Ljubicic.

In men's doubles Red Group, fourth-seeded Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett rolled into the semi-finals from the round-robin Red Group with a perfect 3-0 record.

The nod for the second doubles spot in the semi-finals from the group went to Czech Martin Damm and Leander Paes from India.

On Wednesday, James Blake became the first master to make semifinals in the Gold Group round robin competitions, securing the first place in the group after a two-match winning streak.

Friday will see Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko battle for the last spot in semifinals. The match between Blake and Spaniard Tommy Robredo will not count too much as Robredo has been out before Friday's contests.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)