Saturday's ATP round-up
World Indoor Tournament
Mirnyi has reached only his second final
|
Max Mirnyi upset the form books by beating Roger Federer 5-7 6-3 6-4 to reach the final of the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam.
The Belarussian put friendship aside as he ruthlessly exploited his doubles partner's weaknesses.
It was a close contest but Federer, who was hoping to secure his second title in as many weeks, eventually lost the battle of wills.
Mirnyi will meet Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, who was a surprise 6-3 6-3 winner over Sebastien Grosjean, in the final.
It was Switzerland's Federer who got the first contest of the day in Rotterdam off to a
flying start by breaking Mirnyi in the opening game.
But Mirnyi read Federer's game well and was able to break back in the sixth game with a series of powerful service returns.
In a game of cat and mouse, Federer pounced to take a tight first set 5-7 after the Belarussian double-faulted on set-point.
Mirnyi refused to be intimidated by the second seed and levelled the match with a thundering ace.
The deciding set was another close affair until a momentary lapse in concentration by Federer let Mirnyi in.
At 15-40 in the ninth game, the Marseille Open champion hit a lame forehand into the net to hand Mirnyi the advantage.
He duly obliged and stole the set and match with an emphatic ace to reach his first final since 2001.
Federer and Mirnyi later joined forces to defeat Martin Damm and Cyril Suk in the doubles semi-finals to continue the defence of their title.
Buenos Aires Open
Carlos Moya will meet home favourite Gaston Gaudio in the final of the Buenos Aires Open.
Moya has recovered well from a series of injuries
|
The Spaniard justified his top seeding by beating former world number one Gustavo Kuerten 7-6 6-1.
"I had chances in the first set which I did not take, especially after being ahead for most of the tie-breaker," said Kuerten.
Moya added: "I played an almost perfect second set as I gained more confidence on the attack."
Gaudio, seeded fourth, took three sets to beat compatriot Guillermo Coria 6-3 1-6 6-3.
St Jude Classic
Big-serving Taylor Dent has set up a showdown with power-hitter Andy Roddick in the final of the St Jude Classic in Memphis.
Dent breezed past fellow American Vince Spadea 6-2 6-4 to reach the final of the event for the second time in his career.
The 21-year-old thumped down serves of over 130mph to help defeat Spadea, though he also double-faulted seven times.
Roddick overcame close friend Brian Vahaly 7-5 6-1 to keep his defence of the title right on track.