Federer beat Ebden to reach semi-finals

HALLE WESTFALEN (GERMANY): Roger Federer stepped up his grass game as the start of Wimbledon looms, holding off Australian Matt Ebden 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in their quarter-final at the ATP Hale tournament on Friday. With his world No 1 ranking on the line, the Swiss is sparing no effort to make sure he lifts a tenth title at the event on Sunday. Failure to win the grass title would send rival Rafael Nadal back to the top spot. The first set on Friday was decided in a tie-breaker while the Swiss had to twice recover from a break down in the second to secure a tight victory in 88 minutes.