Federer knocks Mikhail Yuzhny out of the Dubai Open

Second seed Roger Federer defeated Russian star Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinal of Dubai Open in two sets: 6-3, 6-4.

The Swiss saw off Youzhny without much difficulty and will now face either Juan Martin del Potro or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals of the $1.7 million event.

Youzhny will be disappointed, having kicked off the year to a promising start by winning the Zagreb Open last month – his first tournament victory since autumn 2010.