The Freeman

Federer survives to reach 14th Basel semis

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BASEL, Switzerlan­d — Roger Federer survived a surprise test at the Swiss Indoors on Friday before making the semifinals at his home event for the 14th time with a hard-fought 46, 6-1, 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino.

The French seventh seed, who had dropped 10 straight sets in four losing matches against the world number two, shocked the home crowd at the St Jakobshall­e by winning the first set.

Mannarino broke to love for a 5-4 lead to quickly establish early superiorit­y.

But Federer, who lost just eight games in his first two matches, rose to the occasion, leveling at a set each with two service breaks.

In the third set, the Swiss top seed saved break points in the sixth game for 3-3 before breaking for a 4-3 lead with a backhand winner.

Federer, 36, completed his great escape one game later with a break, firing an untouchabl­e passing shot on a first match point to take the win in just under one and three-quarter hours.

"Just because you've never lost a set, people expect it to keep happening," Federer said.

"But every day you feel different. It's hard to start out and play your absolute best next time.

"I had to dig and fight tonight. It was tough for me to get into it, he was solid in the first set and deserved to win it. But the reaction from me was really important."

The Swiss veteran fired 12 aces and advanced to a semifinal against third seed David Goffin who downed American Jack Sock 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.

Juan Martin del Potro struggled to dominate Roberto Bautista Agut on his way to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win as the giant Argentine reached his third successive tour semifinal.

 ?? AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE ?? Switzerlan­d's Roger Federer celebrates his victory against France's Adrian Mannarino during their quarterfin­al game at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel.
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE Switzerlan­d's Roger Federer celebrates his victory against France's Adrian Mannarino during their quarterfin­al game at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel.
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