BASEL (Switzerland): Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro will meet on Sunday for the first time since their epic Olympic Games clash after both beat French opponents to reach the final of the Basel Open.
Argentine del Potro overpowered Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-2 to reach his fifth final of the year while world number one Federer met more resistance before beating Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-4.
Federer has spoiled what has otherwise been an excellent year for del Potro, winning all six of his meetings against the Argentine on a mixture of clay, grass and hard courts.
“You have to hit winners all the time and see if you have a chance to win, there are very few players who can beat him,” del Potro told reporters.
“This year, I have lost to him six times already, I was very close at the Olympics and I was ahead at the French open.”
“It will give me a chance to measure myself against him and see how far I have come.”
Meanwhile, in Spain, David Ferrer beat Spanish Davis Cup team mate Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-5 on Friday to make the semifinal of the Valencia Open.
Ferrer next plays qualifier Ivan Dodig, who defeated fellow Croatian Marin Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (6). Jurgen Melzer, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, and Alexandr Dolgopolov won and will meet in the second semi. (AP)
