Roger Federer battled back from an early deficit to beat Juan Martin Del Potro 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Saturday evening. Federer needed one hour and 57 minutes to book his spot alongside Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s title match.
The turning point came with Del Potro leading by a set and serving at 2-3 in the second. He saved four break points in that game, but Federer finally converted his fifth chance and was off to the races. The 36-year-old Swiss dropped a mere three points in five second-set service games and also won 15 of 16 first-serve points in the decider. He finished with seven aces and zero double-faults while serving at 72 percent.
“Clearly getting the break and then holding, it’s always key in tennis,” Federer explained. “I’m happy I was able to do it, especially with all the twists and turns and, blink at the wrong time, he might hold the game and then you don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
What’s happening next is a 38th career showdown against Nadal, who got the best of Marin Cilic 7-5, 7-6(3) in Saturday’s opening semifinal. The top-ranked Spaniard improved his winning streak to 16 matches by prevailing in two hours and 11 minutes.
Highlights:
“(I’m) very happy,” Nadal assured. “Of course I played I think a very high level of tennis. (It) was a great match again. In my opinion, he played well, too; was a great, good quality of tennis this afternoon.”
“I was hitting unbelievable shots off the ground, and against other guys they would be winners,” Cilic added. “Or just with serving, serving well, that would be either an ace or winner, and he makes you play another shot.”
Nadal is leading the head-to-head series with Federer 23-14, but he has lost four in a row–including three this season.
[polldaddy poll=9851866]
who ya got?