rogerfederer.com - Roger tested to the limit

Roger tested to the limit

Roger had to show his very best tennis today to reach the semi-finals in Halle. He saved a total of five match points before edging past Belgian Olivier Rochus 6-7, 7-6 and 7-6 in 2 hours 46 minutes today.

Unbeaten on grass since losing to Mario Ancic in the first round of Wimbledon in 2002, Roger was given a real fright in the second set tiebreak. Rochus twice came within a point of chalking up a memorable win after winning the first set tiebreak 7-2.

After staving off the danger, Roger took the tiebreak 11-9 on his third set point to level the match after one hour and 51 minutes. Rochus refused to wilt under pressure and went 4-2 up in the third until Roger finally produced the goods to keep alive his hopes of a fourth successive title here by winning the tiebreak 7-5. The result left the triple Wimbledon champion just two matches away from equalling Bjorn Borg's 41 consecutive wins on grass.