Federer closes on first title of season

With Wimbledon just around the corner, Federer will hope he can take an opening title win into favourite tournament.

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Reigning Wimbledon champion Federer is gearing up for UK grand slam at the Halle Open [AP]

World number three Roger Federer edged closer to his first title of the season when he beat defending champion Tommy Haas 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the Halle Open on Saturday to book a spot in Sunday’s final.

The 31-year-old Swiss looked sharp on the grass court after an erratic start in what was a rematch of last year’s final as he prepares for his title defence at Wimbledon this month.

Federer, five-times champion at Halle, will play Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who outclassed former Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet of France 6-3 6-2.

Federer’s unusually erratic forehand earned 35-year-old Haas his first break points at 3-2 and another long crosscourt forehand by the Swiss gave the world number 11 a two-game cushion.

Haas, whose 2012 final win over Federer was his first in 10 years against him, saved two break points at 5-2 to serve out the set when Federer pushed another forehand long.

The tables were turned in the second set with Federer racing to a 3-0 lead after breaking Haas with a much more aggressive game.

After drawing level, Federer kept up the pressure to earn yet another break when Haas double-faulted twice in a row to go 3-1 up and he clinch victory on his second match point.

Source: Reuters