Friday, July 3, 2009

Federer eases into seventh final

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
Coverage: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC HD, Red Button, website streaming (UK only) and text commentary, 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC iPlayer

Roger Federer
Federer is the current US Open and French Open champion

By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Roger Federer remains on course for a sixth Wimbledon and record 15th Grand Slam title after beating Tommy Haas in straight sets in the semi-finals.

The world number two won 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 6-3 and heads into Sunday's final against Andy Murray or Andy Roddick having dropped just one set so far.

Federer served superbly and did not face a single break point as he won in two hours two minutes on Centre Court.

The 27-year-old will play in a seventh consecutive Wimbledon final on Sunday.

"Tommy has been playing extremely well since Paris so I knew the danger and I'm very happy with my performance," Federer told BBC Sport. "It's unbelievable to be back in another Wimbledon final."

He is looking to make up for last year's final defeat by Rafael Nadal, who is absent this year through injury, and overtake Pete Sampras's all-time mark of 14 Grand Slams.

I have had a lot of pressure over the years so it is just another great opportunity for me to get into the history books

Roger Federer

Asked if the American might be on Centre Court on Sunday, Federer added: "He might come around, he might not. It's his choice but I would love to see him as he is a good friend of mine and I am very honoured to share the record with him."

The Swiss went into the semi-final with a 9-2 record against Haas, and having not lost to the German since 2002, but their last meeting in the fourth round of the French Open was a desperately close affair.

Haas, 31, let a two-set lead slip as Federer went on to take the title but the German regrouped quickly to win the grass-court title in Halle and see off seeds Marin Cilic, Igor Andreev and Novak Djokovic on his way through the Wimbledon draw.

Haas has been playing as well as at any time in his career but Federer, appearing in a record 21st consecutive Grand Slam semi-final, was a step too far.

The Federer return, which had been so impressive in his win over Ivo Karlovic in the previous round, looked in good shape early on in the semi-final.

606: DEBATE
Will Federer win a sixth title?

He made inroads in game three and got to 0-30 in game five, but Haas held firm to force the tie-break.

The world number 34 really needed to win it to put the pressure on but two loose errors gave Federer an early lead, and he played a beautiful backhand return on his way to sealing the opening set in 46 minutes.

As the second set progressed both players remained dominant on serve, with Federer close to unbreakable as he approached a first-serve percentage of 80%.

When a chipped backhand drew a hesitant Haas to volley into the net at 30-30 in game 10 the Swiss had the first break point of the day, also a set point, but the German saved it with a big serve down the middle.

Haas saved another set point after two forehand errors had him under pressure in the following game, but Federer fired a spectacular cross-court forehand winner to force a third and the German's forehand finally broke down in a lengthy and tense rally.

There did not appear much prospect of Haas coming back from two sets down when he slipped to 15-40 in game seven of the third and, despite getting back to deuce and saving two further break points, a double-fault and a backhand into the net gave Federer the decisive break.

The five-time champion rounded off a clinical display with a slam-dunk smash and the victory adds yet more statistics to Federer's incredible roll of honour - a 20th Grand Slam final, a 16th final in the past 17 Grand Slams, and a record seventh straight final at the All England Club.

"I've had a lot of pressure over the years so it's just another great opportunity for me to get into the history books," said Federer.

"It's not the only reason I play tennis - mostly it's because I love it and enjoy playing tennis but going for something that big (15th Grand Slam title) this coming Sunday is quite extraordinary."

ะพ 5:16 AM

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