Federer on Croatian Tear at Rotterdam

Roger Federer beat one Croat Saturday, with another one now standing between him and the ATP Rotterdam title.

The world No. 1 Swiss subdued unseeded Mario Ancic Saturday, defusing the Croatians big serve with a 7-5, 6-3 win.

"Last time I played him was in 2002 so that's quite a long time ago now," Federer said. "I'm very happy with my performance. I never lost serve and really stayed focused throughout the whole match. I think I needed a performance like this to beat Mario today."

In the championship match awaits another big-serving Croat in the form of Ivan Ljubicic, who edged former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson 7-6(4), 7-5.

"Obviously I want to win tomorrow," Ljubicic said. "It's a big event and it would be unbelievable to win this one. If I win tomorrow, I will buy everyone in the crowd a drink."

It is already the third final this year for Ljubicic, who lost to Federer in the Doha championship and to Joachim Johansson at Marseille.

The doubles final will be (3) Suk/Vizner (d. (1) Knowles/Nestor in the semifinals) versus (4) Erlich/Ram (d. (2) Black/Ullyett).