Wednesday, June 7 2006 14:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: Roger Federer got straight to the point as he drives towards a potential French Open final with Rafael Nadal, thrashing Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to power into the semi-finals on Tuesday.

The world number one, with a first-ever trophy at Roland Garros the over-riding goal of his spring clay campaign, spent a bare-bones two hours, 17 minutes in sending the ailing Croatian packing. Federer is bidding to win his fourth straight major and thus complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam.

Federer converted on four of 18 break points as he defeated an opponent who was seen once by the trainer and once by a doctor on court during changeovers.

David Nalbandian will lineup as the next opposition for the Swiss after a 6-3, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of Russian Nikolay Davydenko - another win completed with minimal fuss.

The Argentine lost to Federer little more than a fortnight ago in the Rome semi-final. But Nalbandian remains one of the few players to have a career edge - six wins, five losses - over the world number one.

Federer admitted he likes his Grand Slam matches short and sweet.

"It's definitely going to help," he said after winning his 26th straight contest at a major, his last loss coming to Nadal in the Paris semi-finals a year ago.

"If you play a very tough one, then you come out and you have to change your tactics because of fatigue. That's the worst it can sometimes cost you a tournament," he said.

After winning three of his four Paris matches in straight sets, the Swiss master's confidence level is rising at a steady pace.

"I feel like I can back up tough matches now," said Federer.

"I've got two days now, so I guess fitness won't play a factor any more," he said.

Federer, who has a 43-3 win-loss record this year with all three of his losses coming against Nadal in finals, said he got even after losing serve for the only time in the match during the second set.

"I was very disappointed to be broken, first of all (in the first game of the second set. That break that got me angry. Thank God, it was actually a key moment, " he said.

"I came back strong, I saved all those break points (eight of nine), came back in the match and played really well towards the end of the second," he said.

"From then on I was really in control," he said.

"It's tough to play Mario, he has a huge serve," he said.

"It's great to be in another semi-final, Roland Garros is my main objective this season," he said.

Nalbandian's victory over Davydenko compensated for a loss to the Russian in the Estoril final a month ago at the start of the European clay campaign.

"I played the first two sets very well. I was aggressive, pushing him around and serving well," said the Argentine who beat Federer over five sets in the Masters final last season.

"This form helped me in the early sets. I'm feeling good on the court," he said.

"I was down a break in the third, but I couldn't come back then, I had to win it in four sets. But I believe I played better than him all the way through," he said.

The South American has a good history here having also reached the Paris final four in 2004, losing to compatriot Gaston Gaudio, the eventual champion.