Twenty-time Grand Slam champion and 2011 Paris Rolex Masters winner Roger Federer beat Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-4 after 1 hour and 19 minutes at the Accorhotel Arena in Paris Bercy to set up a blockbuster semifinal against Novak Djokovic. Federer has reached his 64th Masters 1000 semifinal.
Federer dropped just one point on his first serve and faced one break point in the whole match, while he was serving for the set at 5-4 in the first set. The Swiss legend converted two of his three break points (once in each set) and hit 26 winners to just 15 unforced errors.
Federer was solid on his serve and got his first break in the ninth game, when Djokovic sent a forehand long. Federer saved a break point in the 10th game with a volley and held his serve with two service winners to seal the first set 6-4 after 40 minutes.
In the second set Federer earned an early break in the opening game with his deep return. He held his serve with three service winners in the second game. Nishikori fended off a break point in the fourth game. Federer held serve in the 10th game to book his spot in the blockbuster final against Novak Djokovic. Federer has extended his win-loss record to 7-2 in his nine head-to-head matches against Nishikori and has won their past six matches.
Djokovic beat Federer in their previous head-to-head match in the Cincinnati final last August. They will meet for the 47th time in their carerers. Djokovic has extended his winning streak to 21 consecutive matches and has won 30 of his past 31 matches.
Federer, who won his 99th career title in his hometown Basel, will be bidding to clinch his 100th career trophy.
“I want to play well. I want to try to win. I know that he is on a hot streak, so it’s going to be tough. Nevertheless I have got nothing to lose. I like this type of surface. I like playing indoors. Indoors has treated me very well, winning Rotterdam and Basel. I am ready to d something tomorrow, but clearly I have to play a lot of good tennis because those are the questions Novak ask of you. He is going to ask the question time and time again because he defends very well and he plays well on the defense. He is serving consistently well at the moment, so I think it’s going to be tough”, said Federer in the post match interview.
Federer’s win means that Dominic Thiem and Marin Cilic have secured their spot for the Nitto ATP Finals in London.
