rogerfederer.com - Basel final

Basel final

Roger  will  bid for his sixth trophy from seven editions of his home Swiss Indoors after defeating Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-4 in the semi-finals today. The world No 1 will line up for the seventh time this season against Argentine danger man Juan Martin del Potro, who reached his second final in succession with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.Top seed Roger’s win over Mathieu, a fellow over-30 player, saw the home star send down 10 aces without facing a break point in just under 90 minutes. "I'm very happy to be in this final again," said our champ who leads the ATP with six trophies this season and is fighting to finish the year as No 1."I've been serving really well. A lot of things have gone my way this week, it's been good so far. The final will be tough, even if I've beaten Del Potro so many times. We always have difficult matches including five sets at the French Open and 19-17 in the Olympics. He's playing well so I'll have to be ready." Roger won his ninth Basel semi-final from 10 played, with his lone loss at this stage coming to Argentine David Nalbandian a decade ago.The Swiss also moved alongside John McEnroe for fourth place in the post-1968 Open era with 875 career match wins.

Roger, chasing his sixth title in seven years at his hometown event, fired 10 aces and never allowed 101st-ranked Mathieu a break-point chance.Excellent anticipation at the net put our champ into position to hit a volleyed winner to create two set points in the first which he clinched with a forehand winner. Roger moved his opponent around the court in the final game before putting away an overhead to earn match point, and sealed his victory when Mathieu netted a two-handed backhand.Roger did not have to face one break point against Mathieu, converting two of the four that came his way to ease into the final.