Federer is on course to win his fifth title at the German event

Roger Federer reached the Gerry Weber Open semi-finals with a 6-4 6-4 victory over 2007 finalist Marcos Baghdatis.

The world number one took his winning streak on grass to 57 matches with his win over the Cypriot fifth seed.

Federer converted two of four break points while saving all four break points he faced in the 72-minute match.

"It was a very solid performance today. Marcos is, in some ways, one of the dark horses for Wimbledon," said four-time Halle champion Federer.

"He gave me a few too many points, so I took advantage of that. It's great to be in the semis without losing a set."

The five-times Wimbledon champion skipped Halle 12 months ago but is keen to bounce back from his heavy defeat by Rafael Nadal in the recent French Open final.

606: DEBATE This is the first real test Roger has had on grass this tournament Scotsguy

Kiefer was leading 4-0 when his French opponent quit with a left arm injury.

Fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber also reached the last four as he beat Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

But Andreas Beck could not make it a hat-trick for the home nation, losing a tight battle against James Blake 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5).