Federer secures final spot

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:13

The world number two was pushed all the way by Spaniard Fernando Verdasco before eventually triumphing 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) in two hours 14 minutes.

Federer will meet either Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka or Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in Saturday’s final.

“It’s good to be out there and getting used to the court, so long matches don’t bother me at this stage,” said Federer.

“The second set wasn’t the best of levels, you know. He was struggling, I think it was with the sun, and I couldn’t capitalise on that. But as the match went on I think we started to play better and better, and in the end it was a good match.”

The earlier match saw 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis break his four-month drought with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory over Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.

Both men were out of title contention after losing their first matches on Wednesday.

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