Jiri Novak won two tie-breaks against Andrei Pavel of Romania to reach the final of the indoor CA Trophy in Vienna.

The fifth-seeded Czech player won 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2) to advance to face Switzerland's Roger Federer, who overcame Carlos Moya, also in straight sets.

Novak, who needs to win this tournament to keep alive his hopes of making the season-ending Masters, eased to the first tie-break after a big-serving set.

Unseeded Pavel was broken during the second set, but denied Novak in the ninth game as the Czech served for the match, and another tie-break resulted.

Again Novak, ranked 11th in the world, held his nerve to go through and maintain his hopes of a top seven Champions Race place - for a Masters berth.

Federer will provide his opposition after sweeping aside fourth-seeded Moya 6-2 6-3 in little over an hour.

"It was a perfect game and I didn't expect it to go quite so easily," Federer said afterwards.

"It's usually very difficult to play against someone like Carlos Moya, so I had to make sure that I remained aggressive."

Moya was gracious in defeat after failing in his bid to capture his fifth title of the year, and first ever indoors.

"I had my chances but couldn't take advantage of the break points," the Spaniard said.

Squandered

"He played unbelievably well, made no mistakes and gave away no free points."

Federer, looking for his third title of the year, stormed through the first set after breaking a sluggish Moya in the fourth and eighth games.

Moya squandered three chances to break his opponent's serve at the start of the second set but Federer remained patient to earn a decisive break in the eighth game.

The Swiss 21-year-old will leap up to seventh place in the ATP Champions Race if he wins the final and gain crucial points for the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Semi-final results (seedings in brackets)

J Nokak (Cze, 5) bt A Pavel (Rom) 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2)
R Federer (Swi, 6) bt C Moya (Spa, 4) 6-2 6-3