Tomas Berdych develops a winning habit in Halle

Gerry Weber Open: With Roger Federer having withdrawn, second-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych is playing like the favourite in Halle, blasting past Viktor Troicki in straight sets in the quarter-finals 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 to reach the semis. "I am finally feeling on the court how I would like to feel," said the 2010 Wimbledon finalist, who needed just one hour and 21 minutes to beat the Serb.

Berdych will next face unseeded German Philipp Petzschner, who beat eighth seeded Milos Raonic of Canada 6-3, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. World No?8, the third seeded Gaels Monfils, also booked his spot in the final four, with a strong 6-4, 6-4 victory over German sixth seed and world No?18 Florian Mayer. Monfils will now take on another German in the semis, as unseeded 2008 Gerry Weber finalist Philipp Kohlschreiber beat defending champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.