Story highlights
Roger Federer into semifinals of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam
World No. 3 defeats Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 7-5 7-6 to make final four
Tomas Berdych also through after beating Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3 6-4
Berdych faces semi against Juan Martin Del Potro after he beat Viktor Troicki
World No. 3 Roger Federer moved into the semifinals of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after a narrow victory over Jarkko Nieminen.
Federer, a 16-time grand slam winner, enjoyed a 7-5 7-6 success over his Finnish opponent to set up a final four clash with Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko after he beat Richard Gasquet, from France, 7-5 6-3.
After his victory, Federer told the ATP Tour’s website: “It was a relief to come through. I played well on my serve but Jarkko made me work.
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“Jarkko did his job well, he’s a good friend of mine and a good guy, always very fair. I’ve got a good record against him but every time he makes you work.
“I’m one more match into the tournament and I’m playing better as time goes by.”
The other semifinal will see second seed Tomas Berdych face the 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro.
Berdych, from the Czech Republic, beat Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3 6-4 while Argentinian Del Potro enjoyed his fifth straight win over Viktor Troicki of Serbia, recording a 6-0 6-1 success.
Of his clash with Berdych, Del Potro said: “He’s been playing really well the past two years and has confidence.
“He’s very dangerous on this surface with his forehand. His serve is very strong. But I’m just going to be focused on my game, on my serve and forehand. And try to take the chances when I can.”
