Classy Federer reaches final

Federer outplayed his unseeded opponent

 Saturday's Hamburg Masters results
 Photo Gallery: See this story in pictures

Roger Federer moved into the final of the Hamburg Masters with a comprehensive victory over Belarussian Max Mirnyi.

The eleventh seed will face a title showdown with Marat Safin, after his semi-final opponent Tommy Robredo was hampered by an injury and retired in the second set.

Federer continued in the sparkling form that saw him oust French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten in the previous round to register a 6-4 6-4 win.

And the 11th seed admitted afterwards that he benefitted from knowing his opponent's game very well, as the pair are good friends.

Mirnyi made little impression against Federer

"Things are working out just great," said Federer. "I know where he serves and I know he likes to attack the net.

"He left me a message before the game. We both said we'd ensure we both indulged in fair play."

The powerful Mirnyi was unable to cope with the amount of balls Federer was able to return and the Swiss number one regularly passed his net-rushing opponent.

The only worrying moment for Federer came when he served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, and had to face a break point.

But the 20-year-old proved his growing maturity by producing a big first serve when it mattered and, two points later, Mirnyi flashed a wild forehand well beyond the baseline to concede the match.

Safin was never required to reach top gear against a clearly uncomfortable Robredo, and made the final when his opponent retired at 2-6 2-4.

Safin's power was always too much for Robredo

The temperamental sixth seed was at times careless as he struggled to rediscover the accuracy he showed against Lleyton Hewitt in the previous round.

Indeed, the Russian had to stave off a number of break points as Robredo battled bravely.

But the Spaniard never had the firepower or the movement around the court to take advantage and called for the trainer at 2-5 in the first set.

He received strapping on a ligament problem in his foot but it made little difference and when he dropped his serve once again to go 2-4 down in the second set, he conceded the match.

Former world number one Safin has assured himself of top spot in next week's ATP Champions' Race standings.

"I hope I've learned from my final experience two years ago," said Safin, who was runner-up to Kuerten in 2000.

Safin says he has now recaptured the form which saw him narrowly lose the inaugural Race to Kuerten two seasons ago.

"I'm trying to get to the point I was in 2000. And I'm nearly there," he said.

---

Saturday's semi-final results (prefix denotes seeding)

6 M Safin (Rus) bt T Robredo (Spa) 6-2 4-2 retired
11 R Federer (Swi) bt M Mirnyi (Blr) 6-4 6-4

Back to top