Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal made sure of retaining his world number one status at the French Open while Novak Djokovic's winning streak continues.
Andy Murray also progressed at the Rome Masters, his reward a date with Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Nadal cruised past Croat Marin Cilic 6-1 6-3 in the quarter-finals and will now face Richard Gasquet after the Frenchman beat Czech Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-2 6-4.
Second seed Djokovic extended his winning streak to 35 matches, the Serbian beating fifth seeded Swede Robin Soderling 6-3 6-0.
World number four Murray earlier became the first British player in the tournament's professional era to reach the final four after coming back from a set down to defeat unseeded German Florian Mayer 1-6 6-1 6-1.
French Open champion and home favourite Francesca Schiavone lost in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open as Samantha Stosur gained revenge for defeat in last year's Roland Garros final.
Second seed Schiavone had no answer to the Australian's powerful game as she lost 6-2 6-4 to the disappointment of the fans inside the Foro Italico.
Stosur next faces China's Li Na while world number one Caroline Wozniacki battled past Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 6-3 1-6 6-3 to set up a semi-final with Russian Maria Sharapova.
