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Federer enters record 20th Grand Slam final
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-04 08:34
LONDON: Roger Federer reached a record 20th Grand Slam final and a seventh straight Wimbledon title match with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-3 win over German veteran Tommy Haas in the semifinals on Friday. Watched by Grand Slam greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, comfortably installed in the Royal Box, the world No 2 put on a magnificent show of serving against the German 31-year-old, not giving up a single break point. "Tommy played great so I knew that there was a danger. I'm happy with my performance and it's unbelievable to be in another final," said Federer. "I have had a lot of pressure over the years but I am looking forward to another great match and a chance to get into the history books." The opening set on Friday was dominated by serve, but the Swiss second seed was the strongest in the tiebreak. He went to three set points when Haas unleashed a loose forehand with the world No 2 wrapping up the set when the German, stranded behind the baseline, pushed a backhand into the net. It was the dream start for the five-time champion after the nightmare beginning he suffered against the same opponent at the French Open last month when he had to recover from losing the first two sets in the fourth round. Former world No 2 Haas, playing in his first Wimbledon semifinal, had to save a set point, which was also the first break point of the match, at 4-5 in the second set. But the Swiss broke through in the 12th game for a two-sets lead when another Haas forehand went long. Haas cracked for the last time in the eighth game of the third set when he netted an easy approach having saved four break points. Federer then wrapped up the semifinal in just over two hours on his first match point with a spectacular, athletic smash. AFP
(China Daily 07/04/2009 page12) |
