Federer to face del Potro again
BASEL: Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro crushed opponents in quick-fire wins on Saturday to set up their third final in six years at the Swiss Indoors.
Top seed Federer, bidding for a record eighth title at his hometown event, was merciless with third seed David Goffin, dismissing the Belgian 6-1, 6-2 in one hour as he reached his 13th Basel final and eighth of the season.
The victory was his third straight-set rout from four matches this week at the St Jakobshalle and propels him to 6-0 over Goffin.
Del Potro fought off fatigue to win a battle of former champions 6-4, 6-4 over Marin Cilic.
“He may be tired and have some (minor) issues but that will not keep him out of the final. I’ll be ready for a difficult match against an almost fully-fit Del Potro,” said Federer.
Federer said he overcome the rigours of Friday’s three-set quarter-final win over Adrian Mannarino.
“I’m happy I was able to turn it around today. Yesterday’s match was complicated in terms of match-ups. I went through some difficult moments,” said the 19time Grand Slam title winner.
“Everything changed completely in this match. I had a better mindset, I wanted to take it to the opponent.”
Del Potro won his previous titles in 2012 and 2013 at the expense of World No 2 Federer.
“I’m surprised to be in the final, it’s my fourth week in a row after many years,” Del Potro said. “My body is still there.
“I’m doing well, but in the final, anything can happen. I need to play better against Roger than I did today.
“I’m having a good end of year, it’s giving me motivation looking forward to next year. Roger is the favourite to win — but I will see what I can do.”
Federer has been powering through the week as he tries to overhaul rival Rafael Nadal to finish the year as world number one.
Del Potro, who played a Shanghai semi-final a fortnight ago and won the Stockholm title last weekend, admits that he is tiring, but intends to carry on.
“I’m tired and that is a little bit of a factor, but the only way to play Roger is to be aggressive all the time. Sometimes, even that is not enough to beat him.” AFP