Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland shakes hands with Gilles Muller of Luxemburg after their men's singles quaterfinal match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament held in New York, the United States, Sept. 4, 2008. Federer won the match 3-0 and advanced to the semifinal.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland's Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic of Serbia set up a semifinal showdown at the U.S. Open in a rematch of last year's final after they beat their respective rivals in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

    Federer, who is seeking his fifth U.S. Open title and 13th Grand Slam overall, advanced to his 18th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal by defeating 130th-ranked Luxembourg qualifier Gilles Muller 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

    "I'm happy to keep the semifinal streak alive. That's a huge streak for a long time," Federer said. "I'm really happy with my mindset going into the semifinals. I'm happy to take it to the final four one more time."

    Federer, who beat Djokovic 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 in last year's final, last missed a Slam semifinal at the 2004 French Open.     

    Djokovic eliminated American eighth seed Andy Roddick 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) in Thursday's other Arthur Ashe Stadium quarterfinal.

    Saturday's other semifinal will see British sixth seed Andy Murray against Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal, who is in quest of his third Slam crown in a row after beating Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Gilles Muller of Luxemburg during men's singles quaterfinal match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament held in New York, the United States, Sept. 4, 2008. Federer won the match 3-0 and advanced to the semifinal.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>