Roger Federer beats Del Potro to face Djokovic in Paris Masters semis

2011 champion and fifth-seed Roger Federer advances to the semifinals of the Paris Masters after the Swiss star defeated fourth-seed Juan Martin Del Potro of ARgentina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted an hour and 44 minutes on Friday. Up next for Federer is 2009 winner Novak Djokovic in what is touted to be a blockbuster semifinal.

Federer has a 16-13 head to head series lead against Djokovic.

“I think we always play well against each other,” said Federer of his Serbian rival. “When we play, it’s very athletic. We will both try to be aggressive and take the initiative. So tomorrow, given the surface and the conditions here, it’s also going to be the case. It’s interesting. I always liked this rivalry with Novak.

“I prefer playing him now than four months ago. I’m more confident now and I believe again in my chances. But if I had played a few weeks ago or a few months ago, I might have thought that I was not sure. I believe I can win more now. I will try my best against him because he’s again having a very good year.”

The 32-year old Swiss maestro has just won one title this season and his victory against Del Potro was indeed a confidence booster. Del Potro defeated Federer for the second straight year in the final of the Swiss Indoors Basel tournament last weekend.

“That’s definitely good for my confidence, because those are the kind of wins I need right now,” said Federer. “It was clearly a huge victory, giving myself a chance to be in the semis here, and playing Novak is clearly very exciting.”

“I was very happy with today’s match,” said Federer. “I think it was a particularly good first set and a bit of a pity I couldn’t break early in the second. I think Juan Martin did well to hang around.

“I think I did well today to start stronger this time around in the third set. It was something I couldn’t quite do in Basel. I think I was just overall hitting a better ball again today and moving well and taking good decisions time and time again, so I was very happy with my level of play today.”

Del Potro will still be busy next week as he’s already qualified for the year-end ATP World Tour Finals in London.