Madrid Masters 2012: Federer ends Tipsarevic’s run to reach final

Roger Federer will play for the No. 2 South African Airways ATP Ranking in Sunday’s Mutua Madrid Open final after dismissing Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals on Saturday. Victory also saw the 30-year-old Swiss pass $70m in career prize money.

“I didn’t even know about the number two ranking so that’s new to me,” said Federer. “I’m focused on what I’m doing here this week, trying to play well and get far. I have been feeling better and better as the tournament went on. It’s tough conditions today. There was a lot of wind and so forth.”

The third-seeded Federer will face Tomas Berdych in the final and takes in a 10-4 career lead over the Czech, including victory in both their clay-court meetings. The Basel native is bidding to win a record-equalling 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown, matching the feat Rafael Nadal achieved with victory in Monte-Carlo last month.

“It’s going to be a tough match. Berdych is playing well himself,” continued Federer. “It’s quick conditions and he can be a big threat in the finals like that. I expect quick points and big shots from both sides. I hope I can play a big match on my serve and take it from there. I think that we match up pretty well against each other because of the shot making.”

In his fifth meeting with the No. 8-ranked Tipsarevic, Federer improved to a perfect 5-0 record as he dispatched the Serb in 67 minutes. Tipsarevic had ousted defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, but lost his serve three times against Federer and won just 24 per cent of his return points.

“I think that the main reason is that he was a better player than me out there,” said Tipsarevic. “The main thing is that he managed to adjust to the wind really, really well. I think that apart from being the best player, that he is probably the best the player in the world when it comes to adjusting to any situation on the court.

“It was a great event for me. I played semis, I beat two or three great players here. But I am a little bit disappointed with my performance today and I still think I could have done way better.”

Federer is through to the final at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the fifth time. He lifted the trophies in 2006 (d. Gonzalez) and 2009 (d. Nadal) and finished runner-up in 2007 (l. to Nalbandian) and 2010 (l. to Nadal).

Federer is riding a 44-3 match record since losing to Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals last year. This season he has won three ATP World Tour titles in Rotterdam (d. del Potro), Dubai (d. Murray) and Indian Wells (d. Isner).

Source | Watch Madrid Masters 2012 Online