Roger Federer believes he is proving all his doubters wrong after moving to within two victories of yet another milestone in his glorious career.

Many claimed Federer's powers were on the wane as a result of his defeats to Rafael Nadal in grand slam finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Australian Open in the past 12 months.

He has consequently slipped to second in the rankings, behind Nadal, and was in danger of being overtaken by world number three Andy Murray heading into the French Open.

But the Swiss has once again demonstrated his amazing consistency by reaching a 20th consecutive grand slam semi-final, and he is now aiming to reach his fourth straight final on the Parisian clay.

A title win here would see him complete the haul of the four majors and move him level with Pete Sampras on 14 grand slam successes.

Federer always knew his game had not deserted him, even if most observers felt the opposite.
"I was actually pretty happy with the way I've been playing," said the 27-year-old.

"I think it would have been different had I have been losing in the first and second rounds all the time but that wasn't the case. I always played semis or finals, basically.

"For this reason, I always knew there was no need to panic. It was just important to keep on working extremely hard and do the right thing.

"I'm happy the hard work is paying off more and more. I still have more work to do to stay where I am right now and hopefully get the French Open title, and move on to the grass in a great spirit."

To earn that elusive Roland Garros crown, he will have to beat fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals, which take place tomorrow, and then overcome either Robin Soderling or Fernando Gonzalez in Sunday's final.

None of the trio have ever beaten Federer on clay.
Federer admits his nerves are jangling as he closes in on another piece of history, but he remains wary.

"I'm very thrilled and excited to be back in the semis here, and to be giving myself an opportunity," he added.

"But it doesn't mean that I'm going to win this because I have a great record against all the players left in the draw."

Federer has a 5-0 record against Del Potro, who has never taken a set off the Swiss great.

Federer crushed the Argentinian 6-3 6-0 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open at the start of the year, and then won 6-3 6-4 on the Madrid clay last month.

"He (Del Potro) has moved in incredible ways since this time last year," said Federer. "It just shows how quickly things can change in tennis."

Del Potro, a winner of five titles in his career, has made it to his first grand slam semi-final. He has only dropped one set en route, and that was in a tie-break against ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"He does everything so perfectly," the 20-year-old said of Federer.

"His game is a big problem for me, and that's why I've never won when I've played him. I'll have to be 100% there, physically and mentally."

Soderling against 12th seed Gonzalez will not be a match for the faint-hearted, the two big-hitters in prime form in their run to the last four.

Sweden's Soderling, the 23rd seed, shocked four-time champion Nadal in the fourth round.

He then smashed previously in-form 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets in the quarter-finals.

"I haven't had an easy draw," said Soderling, who also defeated 14th seed David Ferrer in the third round.

"I have played three excellent clay-court players but produced three very good performances. I am getting more and more confident.

"Four years ago, I could never have imagined reaching the semi-finals here."

Gonzalez's powerful and consistent groundstrokes have helped him see off 30th seed Victor Hanescu and third seed Andy Murray in the past two rounds.

Indeed Murray claimed Gonzalez's forehand was the biggest shot in tennis after being left punch-drunk by the Chilean in the last eight.

"I am dreaming a lot about the title, but at the moment it's only a dream," said Gonzalez, the Australian Open runner-up in 2007.

"I am really happy and really calm. I am enjoying myself at the moment and that is the most important thing."