Roger Federer To Play Tipsarevic In Semi-finals

Written by: Staff on 12th May 2012

Roger Federer To Play Tipsarevic In Semi-finals

epa03208041 Swiss Roger Federer trains at the Mutua Madrid Open, the fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the year, 06 May 2012 in Madrid, Spain. EPA/JUAN CARLOS HIDALGO |

(Original Story: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/05/19/Madrid-Friday-Tipsarevic-Beats-Djokovic-Federer-In-Action.aspx

Roger Federer is one step closer to reclaiming the No. 2 spot in the South African Airways ATP Rankings after recording his 13th consecutive win over Spaniard David Ferrer Friday to reach the Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals. The Swiss, who must win the title to displace current No. 2 Rafael Nadal, did not face a break point en route to a 6-4 6-4 win over Ferrer, who has never beaten the Swiss.

“I’m always pleased beating a local hero in their own country, it’s never an easy thing to do,” said Federer. “I’m extremely pleased to be in the semi-finals because it’s really been a tough draw for me.”

Federer, who will play Serb Janko Tipsarevic in Saturday’s semi-finals, has dropped serve just once this week, saving seven of eight break points in his opener against Milos Raonic and two of two against Richard Gasquet in the third round.

Should Federer win the Madrid title, he will equal Nadal’s record of 20 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles. Federer is looking to win his third title from his past six ATP World Tour Masters 1000 appearances, dating back to his victory last November at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. During that time he also won a record sixth Barclays ATP World Tour Finals crown.

One day earlier Ferrer had fought off three match points in the third round to beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro to become the first player to reach 30 match wins on the season.

Seventh seed Tipsarevic hit 30 winners past World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic on Friday in a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory that gave him a place in his first second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.

“I’ve never won a Masters Series event. It would be something new,” said Tipsarevic. “Beating the world number one should give me enough confidence to think that I can, especially a defending champion from last year.”

Tipsarevic, who also beat Djokovic in the round robin stage of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November 2011, hit seven aces and saved all seven break points he faced for victory in one hour and 44 minutes. Both players won 71 per cent of their service points and committed 20 unforced errors in their sixth meeting. It was only Djokovic’s fourth loss of the season.