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Federer makes Rotterdam final, eyes more history

Roger Federer has celebrated becoming the oldest man to reach World No.1 by making the Rotterdam Open final with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Italy's Andreas Seppi.

Federer, who has won the title twice before, was not at his fluent best but was seldom troubled after breaking the Italian early in the first set and proved too good on all the big points.

Federer had to save a couple of break points in a scratchy opening, but a big forehand that Seppi could only put into the net and a skewed backhand from the Italian presented the first break to the Swiss.

More uncharacteristically sloppy serving led to Seppi breaking straight back when Federer went long from the baseline.

Somebody stop him. Image: Getty
Somebody stop him. Image: Getty

From there, though, the veteran shifted through the gears, a forehand winner in game seven restoring his break lead and another thumping groundstroke - after some typically graceful play - earning a third break that sealed the opening set.

The second was a much more competitive affair, with neither player offering a sniff on serve.

That meant a tie-break was required and Seppi started by lashing a forehand to earn the first mini-break.

Federer reached into his very top draw to quickly turn the breaker on its head, though, winning the next five points.

Seppi kept the match alive by breaking Federer's next two serve points, but it was not enough to shift the momentum of the contest as the new number one converted his first match point to ensure he will have the chance to celebrate his landmark achievement with a title on Sunday.

The Swiss will play world No.5 Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday's final, bidding to win a 97th career tournament.

The 36-year-old guaranteed his return to the top of the world rankings on Friday after more than five years, becoming the oldest man to reach the summit.

In the other semi-final, David Goffin was forced to retire against Dimitrov after suffering a freak eye injury.

The 27-year-old Belgian dropped the first set 6-3 but was 1-0 up in the second when he framed an attempted volley directly into his left eye and was unable to continue.

Dimitrov immediately ran around the net to check on him.

Goffin left the court for treatment and five minutes later the umpire informed Dimitrov that he had won through retirement.

It was not clear how serious the injury was.

with agencies