Roger Federer has topped everyone’s guest list this week, which, when you consider that President Sarkozy is in town, speaks volumes. There was the invitation on to the yacht of Patrick Heiniger, the chief executive officer of Rolex and cocktails to follow (he sipped water), more hands shaken than points played, but enough time to start playing clay-court tennis as befits the world No 1.

Federer was fortunate to beat Rubén RamÍrez Hidalgo, of Spain, in his opening match, having trailed 5-1 in the final set. The cobwebs have been brushed away, though, and he is beginning to purr in the manner of the Morgans and Bentleys that are the principal forms of transport here.

Yesterday, Federer reached the semi-finals of the Masters Series tournament here, defeating David Nalbandian, of Argentina, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 and his gesture at the end, a single finger pointed in the direction of José Higueras, his new coach, indicated his joy.

Nalbandian had won their two previous meetings, showing a disdain for Federer’s reputation that has been assumed by a number of players since the start of this year. Yet, surprisingly, the Swiss had not lost against him on clay and this, his eighth successive victory on the surface since hooking up with Higueras a fortnight ago, was a measure of harmonious progress.

There was something in the Federer flow and the effortlessness of many strokes that suggested the pieces are coming together. Having plied the Federer backhand to such effect in the first set, Nalbandian was not the same once the Swiss broke to lead 4-2 in the second, forcing a forehand error at the conclusion of a breathtaking rally.

“I really like this victory because David’s played in South America on clay, played Davis Cup on clay, so he’s well used to it already,” Federer said.

Federer will now play Novak Djokovic, while Rafael Nadal, who is chasing a fourth successive title here, faces Nikolay Davydenko, of Russia.