Roger Federer is now just one win away from the world number one ranking after a 6-4 6-4 victory over Guido Pella in the Stuttgart quarter-finals.
The top seed had only broken his Argentinian opponent once before this match and initially struggled with Pella’s forehand. The world number two had wasted two break points in the fifth game as he became frustrated with being unable to break down the accurate serve of Pella.
However the world number 75’s resistance eventually ran out as the backhand of Federer’s continued to create opportunities and in the seventh game Federer took his fourth break point of the match, for the break lead. The 20 time grand slam champion eventually served out the opening set in 31 minutes. The top seed continued his momentum into the second set as he broke in the first game.
The Argentinian couldn’t mount any challenge to Federer and despite having two break points in the tenth game, the world number two held on as he converted his first match point to seal his place in the last four in Stuttgart. The 8 time Wimbledon champion was never really tested and is now one win away from becoming the world number one as he will play either Feliciano Lopez or Nick Kyrgios tomorrow.
The other semi-final will be contested between Milos Raonic and defending champion, Lucas Pouille. The Canadian defeated Tomas Berdych 7-6(2) 7-6(1) in 1 hour and 36 minutes, having not even created a single break point. He will play Pouille tomorrow after the Frenchman overcame Denis Istomin 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3, to keep his title defence alive.
