 Federer will now meet Novak Djokovic in the final |
Roger Federer set up a meeting with defending champion Novak Djokovic after beating Andy Roddick in straight sets at the Swiss Indoors in Basle. Home favourite Federer, the number one seed, defeated American Roddick 6-2 6-4 to seal his place in Sunday's final. Earlier, Djokovic saw off fellow Serb Viktor Troicki in straight sets but needed a tie-break to take the first. Djokovic, the world number three, was made to work hard for a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over the fast-improving Troicki. Roddick had been hoping to improve his chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals.  | It's unfortunate my bad serving day came today. I was just a little bit out of rhythm. You can't afford to do that against Roger |
Roddick, Tomas Berdych, Fernando Verdasco, Mikhail Youzhny and Juergen Melzer are still in the running for the three remaining berths at November's finals, with the Paris Masters to come next week. Rafael Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling have already qualified for the event at London's O2 Arena. Sunday's meeting is a re-run of the 2009 title match in which Djokovic ended a run of three straight Basle trophies for Federer. "Roger and I know each other's games well," said Djokovic. "He's been on the top level for six or seven years and is the best ever. He's at the top of his game all the time." Federer had no mercy for Roddick, whom he has now defeated in 20 of 22 career matches stretching back 10 years - three of his wins have come in Wimbledon finals, the most recent in 2009.  | 606: DEBATE |
The Swiss fired 11 aces to just four for his big-serving opponent. He was broken to start the second set but got it back for three-all and polished off victory in 70 minutes with a crisp passing winner past American Roddick's outstretched racquet. "It always seems to work well for me against Andy," said Federer. "He couldn't serve an ace for a long time and that's always a good sign you're getting a decent read on his serve." Roddick added: "It's unfortunate my bad serving day came today. I was just a little bit out of rhythm. You can't afford to do that against Roger." Elsewhere, David Ferrer and Marcel Granollers reached the final of the Valencia Open. Eighth-ranked Ferrer overcame second seed Robin Soderling 6-3 3-6 6-3 to make his fifth final of the season and improve his chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Granollers made Sunday's decider an all-Spanish affair by ousting France's Gilles Simon 6-4 6-4. In the doubles, Andy and Jamie Murray reached the final after beating Spanish pair Marc Lopez and David Marrero. The Murray brothers needed just 68 minutes to secure a 7-5 6-2 victory and set up a Sunday showdown with third seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi. Bhupathi and Mirnyi had earlier beaten top seeds Lukasz Kabot and Oliver Marach 7-6 (7/3) 6-4.
|
Bookmark with:
What are these?