Federer returns to Swiss Indoors final

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:07

The Swiss superstar will go for his third straight title at the event on Sunday when he faces second seed David Nalbandian, who claimed a 6-4 6-4 victory over third seed Juan Martin del Potro in an all-Argentinian semi-final.

Also a finalist in 2000 and 2001, Federer has won 14 straight matches at this event and the reigning US Open champion will secure his fourth title of the season should he extend that streak on Sunday.

While Federer has now won all seven career meetings against Lopez, his encounters with Nalbandian have been far less predictable.

The 13-time grand slam champion has won nine of 17 encounters with Nalbandian, who won both of their previous final showdowns.

Nalbandian has also enjoyed some success in this tournament, winning in 2002 and finishing runner-up twice.

His win over del Potro was a statement, as Nalbandian is trying to hold off the 20-year-old for the title of Argentina’s top player.

This was the second time in as many tournaments that the countrymen have squared off as Del Potro earned a third-round triumph last week at Madrid.

Del Potro, who lost for just the fourth time in 39 matches, had never won an ATP singles title until this past summer, when he reeled off 23 consecutive wins that culminated in four straight championships.

He has risen from 81st to ninth in the rankings this year and is just one place behind Nalbandian.

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