rogerfederer.com - Nerves of steel II

Nerves of steel II

Roger was pushed by Paradorn Srichaphan (ATP 54), to a most narrow 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory in Basel. It was his 23rd straight match and Roger had his home crowd roaring several times as he almost faced defeat.

Srichaphan showed a most constant performance and challenged Roger throughout the entire match. Overcoming a few lows, Roger also displayed some magic at times and once again proved that his nerves are as good as it gets.

Runner-up at the Swiss Indoors in 2000 and 2001, Roger has never captured a title at his hometown. He missed this event that last two years because of injury. So let’s hope he can go all the way tomorrow. Roger has scored 24 aces so far, for each of which the local Bank Sarasin will donate CHF 1,000, or approx. 630 euros, for a good cause.

Roger will be playing Fernando Gonzalez (ATP 7) in the final in Basel. The Chilean improved to 4-0 all-time against the second remaining Swiss player, Stanislas Wawrinka, who had upset the second- seeded David Nalbandian in Friday's quarterfinals. 

Gonzalez, the Basel defending champion, downed unseeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to reach his third straight final. In addition to Madrid, Gonzalez reached the finale in Vienna, but is still trying to capture his first title of the season.