 Djokovic is yet to drop a set at this year's Rome Masters
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Reigning champion Novak Djokovic will play Roger Federer in the semi-final of the Rome Masters after they won their quarter-final matches in straight sets.
Serbia's Djokovic needs to retain the title or he will lose his world number three spot to Britain's Andy Murray.
And he saw off Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-4, breaking the fifth seed three times in the first set.
Second seed Federer faced a stiffer challenge before beating German qualifier Mischa Zverev 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
Switzerland's Federer missed two set points in game 10 of the first set and then lost the first point of the tie-break on serve.
But he bounced back quickly and took a 4-2 lead with a mini-break of his own from a trademark backhand cross-court pass.
Federer wrapped up the first set with a forehand pass as Zverev continued with his gameplan of attacking the net.
And having broken the German's resistance, Federer romped away with the second set.
Federer's victory sets up an intriguing semi-final with Djokovic, but the 13-time Grand Slam winner knows he will have to up his game.
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Levethian
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"We haven't played each other that much on clay but he seems to be playing well again," said the 27-year-old.
"He's come through convincingly against tough players so I hope I can play better against him than I did against Zverev."
Djokovic, 21, is yet to drop a set in three matches in Rome and produced a commanding display to win in just under 100 minutes.
"I tried to change the pace a lot because I know that Del Potro likes more or less the same pace and he moves really well for his height," he said.
"That's what I did, I think I played well, it's a good win for me. I'm ready for the next challenge (against Federer).
"It's a challenge for both of us. I think we've only played twice on clay and he won both times in Monte Carlo (in 2006 and 2008).
Three breaks in the opening set and an ace on set point underlined Djokovic's supremacy.
Del Potro increased his first-serve accuracy in the second set, but he sent a backhand long at 15-40 in the fifth game to hand his opponent a decisive break.
The Argentine saved three match points before finally succumbing on the fourth, hitting a cramped forehand into the net.
World number one Rafael Nadal takes on Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the third quarter-final.
The winner will play either Argentina's Juan Monaco, who knocked out Murray, or Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.
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