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2:09 AM
Defending champion Roger Federer will meet Argentina's David Nalbandian in Sunday's Madrid Masters final following a low-key 6-4, 6-4 semi-final win over Nicolas Kiefer.
The Swiss world number one claimed his 18th straight match victory dating to a loss in the Montreal final last summer against Serb Novak Djokovic as he set up a Sunday clash with old foe Nalbandian.
Again Kiefer, excitement was often at a premium with Federer knocking on the door against the veteran German but unable to convert on more than two of a dozen break point chances.
But a win is a win for the holder of 12 Grand Slam titles who won the Spanish trophy a year ago over Fernando Gonzalez.
"We had a siesta out there in the first set, there was not much to excite the crowd. It was very subdued and with not a lot of great shots," said Federer.
"We finished a lot of points on errors. But I was ahead in the score and he had the pressure.
"It was not the best match but I'm happy that I won." Nalbandian came alive as the two-time semi-finalist and 2004 runner-up stunned Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
The Argentine, whose best performance of 2007 prior to this week was a Barcelona quarter-final in the spring, has erupted into form in the Spanish capital.
The South American denied the world number three the chance to move towards a third Masters title of the season after winning Miami and Montreal.
Federer is playing a full schedule for the next fortnight, entered in his home event of Basel as well as the Paris Masters.
He then leads the field at the season-wrap up Masters Cup in Shanghai from November 11.
But there is the matter of pride against former junior rival Nalbandian to deal with first. He leads the Argentine 8-6 and has won four matches since the loss in Shanghai.
"My last indoor loss to him was Shanghai 2005 in the final," recalled Federer. "That was a heartbreaker. We've had good matches in past and he beat me in Basel.
"But I love the indoor season, there's no wind, no sun everything's easy," he said after breaking Kiefer in the penultimate game after the fighting German saved four break points.
"Nalbandian's one of the best returners in the game, it's nice to see him coming back strong. I'm hoping for a good match and hope I can serve well again."
In the final, Nalbandian will be playing for his first trophy since winning Estoril in May of last year.
"Djokovic is a player who moves very well, it's very difficult to break his serve," said the Argentine. "It's tough to know what he's going to do. "I just tried to hang in throughout the match and play my game."
Djokovic, winner of five titles this breakthrough season, had been looking to enter his eighth final of 2007.
"He deserved to win, he played better," said the Serb. "I didn't play like in previous matches. It happens, sometimes you play bad.
"Today I felt really exhausted. It came after a long two weeks, playing day after day. I wasn't fresh today as I could be. I didn't have too many chances. He was the better player, we have to turn a page."
Source: sports.indiatimes.com
The Swiss world number one claimed his 18th straight match victory dating to a loss in the Montreal final last summer against Serb Novak Djokovic as he set up a Sunday clash with old foe Nalbandian.
Again Kiefer, excitement was often at a premium with Federer knocking on the door against the veteran German but unable to convert on more than two of a dozen break point chances.
But a win is a win for the holder of 12 Grand Slam titles who won the Spanish trophy a year ago over Fernando Gonzalez.
"We had a siesta out there in the first set, there was not much to excite the crowd. It was very subdued and with not a lot of great shots," said Federer.
"We finished a lot of points on errors. But I was ahead in the score and he had the pressure.
"It was not the best match but I'm happy that I won." Nalbandian came alive as the two-time semi-finalist and 2004 runner-up stunned Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
The Argentine, whose best performance of 2007 prior to this week was a Barcelona quarter-final in the spring, has erupted into form in the Spanish capital.
The South American denied the world number three the chance to move towards a third Masters title of the season after winning Miami and Montreal.
Federer is playing a full schedule for the next fortnight, entered in his home event of Basel as well as the Paris Masters.
He then leads the field at the season-wrap up Masters Cup in Shanghai from November 11.
But there is the matter of pride against former junior rival Nalbandian to deal with first. He leads the Argentine 8-6 and has won four matches since the loss in Shanghai.
"My last indoor loss to him was Shanghai 2005 in the final," recalled Federer. "That was a heartbreaker. We've had good matches in past and he beat me in Basel.
"But I love the indoor season, there's no wind, no sun everything's easy," he said after breaking Kiefer in the penultimate game after the fighting German saved four break points.
"Nalbandian's one of the best returners in the game, it's nice to see him coming back strong. I'm hoping for a good match and hope I can serve well again."
In the final, Nalbandian will be playing for his first trophy since winning Estoril in May of last year.
"Djokovic is a player who moves very well, it's very difficult to break his serve," said the Argentine. "It's tough to know what he's going to do. "I just tried to hang in throughout the match and play my game."
Djokovic, winner of five titles this breakthrough season, had been looking to enter his eighth final of 2007.
"He deserved to win, he played better," said the Serb. "I didn't play like in previous matches. It happens, sometimes you play bad.
"Today I felt really exhausted. It came after a long two weeks, playing day after day. I wasn't fresh today as I could be. I didn't have too many chances. He was the better player, we have to turn a page."
Source: sports.indiatimes.com
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