Djokovic’s win streak halted by Federer

Roger Federer avenged a tough loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final by beating the top-ranked Serb 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

The Swiss star relentlessly charged the net and volleyed with precision, winning 20 of his 35 forays. He also served strongly, firing four aces in a row to win one game in the first set and fighting off the only break point he faced.

Federer was almost out of the tournament in the opening round, saving five match points before beating Leonardo Mayer in a dramatic three-setter. 

Federer will take on unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon who moved into his first Masters Series final in six years after outclassing big-serving Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

The world number 29 faced little pressure on his serve and dominated the match from the baseline with some sumptuous ground strokes as he blasted away the 33-year-old Lopez 6-2, 7-6 on stadium court.

Simon’s only previous Masters Series final appearance came in 2008 in Madrid.

The Frenchman knocked out Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka and sixth-seed Tomas Berdych en route the last-four.