Halle-lujah! Federer joy at final shot
physically. It was tough mentally. Getting up for another season was challenging.”
But with the world trials six days away Waite, who finished behind German Gesa Krause, reckons her French display points to a date in London in six weeks.
She added: “This is the first time I’ve gone out and raced the way I can. It’s a huge relief to know it’s still there.”
The UK sit in third spot in the standings in Lille going into the final day with Scots star Ei l idh Doyle among six Brit wins.
And the Olympic medallist, 30, claimed her season’s best effort of 54.60secs in the 400m hurdles proves she’s on course for a world title shot.
She said: “I peaked too early last year at the Europeans and Monaco and by the time it came to the Olympics I was running well but not as fast.
“So I’m hoping that although I’m not running as fast this year it might work out better in the long run.”
Elsewhere, there were victories for Jack Green in the men’s 400m hurdles, Dwayne Cowan in the 400m, Dan Bramble in the long jump and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the 100m.
Jake Wightman followed up his breakthrough triumph in Oslo 10 days ago by nabbing second in the 1500m behind Polish crack Marcin Lewandowski.
But the Scot, 22, said: “I was hoping for the win and I didn’t put myself in a very good place with a lap to go.”
Another baton blunder cost the women’s 4x100 quartet a perfect World’s warm-up as they crashed out on the final leg before the men romped to a championship record of 38.08secs. Roger Federer is looking good for Wimbledon after reaching the final of the Halle Open in Germany.
Now the Swiss top seed will challenge for a ninth title against Alexander Zverev af ter seeing of f Russian talent Karen Khachanov 6- 4 7- 6 in the semis yesterday.
Federer, who captured the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami titles this year, skipped the entire claycourt season to improve his chances of winning a record eighth title at the All England Club.
He will now face 20-yearold Zverev in a rematch of last year’s Halle semi-final, which the German won.
Zverev booked his second successive final spot when he beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 4- 6 6- 4 6-3.
Federer, who has never won a tournament nine times, said: “I thought my match was extremely close, especially that second set.
“I’m still just very happy how I was able to close it out in the breaker.”
Federer and Khachanov, 21, traded breaks in the first two games but Federer grabbed a second one to restore his advantage and clinch the first set on his second set point.
The Swiss veteran lured the youngster to the net on several occasions, including at 4- 4 in the second set when Khachanov dumped a forehand volley into the net to give Federer two break points.
But instead of serving out the set, the 35-year-old was broken again and his rival even held two set points at 6- 5 before the world No. 5 recovered and forced a tiebreak. Fed converted his first match point to reach an 11th Halle final.
Marin Cilic reached the f inal of the the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club in London.
The Croat beat Gilles Muller 6-3 5-7 6- 4 to set up a showdown with Spain’s Feliciano Lopez.
Unseeded Lopez saw off former champion Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 3- 6 6-2.
Cilic said: “I’m a little bit more motivated and that is driving me to be aggressive on the court.”