STOCKHOLM – Roger Federer advanced to the Stockholm Open final yesterday by overcoming fourth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Federer will play Florian Mayer in today’s final after he defeated Jarkko Nieminen 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Like in his quarter-final against Stanislas Wawrinka the day before, Federer again started slowly. Ljubicic broke him in the third game. But Federer found his rhythm to come back and win the set on a tiebreaker, prompting Ljubicic to throw his racquet in frustration.
Federer ripped a backhand winner that 17th-ranked Ljubicic could only watch on the way to taking a 3-2 lead in the second. He broke again in the seventh game and served an ace for the win. (AP)
