Federer beats Mathieu in Swiss Indoors semifinals

Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro advanced to the Swiss Indoors final yesterday, setting up a rematch of their epic semifinal at the London Olympics.

Top-ranked Federer brushed aside Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals, after Del Potro eased to a 6-2, 6-2 win over third-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Del Potro has lost to Federer all six times they have met this season, though pushed him to his limits on Centre Court at Wimbledon in August. Federer won 19-17 in the decisive third set.

“I was close in the Olympics and French Open but I never beat him this year,” said Del Potro, who rebounded from the tough loss to take Olympic bronze. “He has all the shots. He’s a very, very complete player.”

Federer, 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 Federer into position to hit a volleyed winner to create two set points in the first. He clinched with a forehand winner.

Federer moved his opponent around the court in the final game before putting away an overhead to earn match point, and sealed victory when Mathieu netted a two-handed backhand.

Federer has a 13-2 career record against Del Potro, though one of the Argentinian’s victories came in the 2009 US Open final.

Del Potro, who won the Vienna title last week, said his play against Gasquet was “almost perfection.”

“Now I have to play better (Sunday) if I want to win this tournament,” Del Potro said.

Del Potro’s eighth ace sealed his 61st victory of the season, a career best. He improved to 16-1 on indoor hard courts in 2012, with his only loss coming against Federer in the Rotterdam final in February.