Federer to Face Gonzalez in Madrid Finale

Top seed Roger Federer continued his domination in tennis with a resounding 6-4, 6-0 victory over former nemesis David Nalbandian to set up a final showdown with Fernando Gonzalez.

Federer, who had lost to Nalbandian in their first five meetings, is now up on the Argentine 7-6.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Federer said. “I lost to him many times in the beginning. We've had some close ones recently in Rome and Shanghai and also at the French Open before he retired. I'm really pleased with the way I played. I could really play aggressive, play my game. I served pretty well. He's obviously the best return player I've played all week. It was an excellent match for a semifinals. That's for sure.”

Federer opened the match with a 4-2 lead in the first set but, as is often the case, Nalbandian produced his best tennis when his back was against the wall. He broke Federer and then escaped clawing back to level the set at 4-4, the last game Nalbandian would win of the match.

“The second set was phenomenal and I thought this is when I could start to hit freely, hit the returns more, take more chances,” Federer added. “It all worked out. It was great.”

Gonzalez had an equally easy time taking care of Tomas Berdych. With the crowd squarely behind the Chilean – thanks in large part of Berdych’s antics a day earlier in his win over Rafael Nadal – Gonzalez rolled 6-3, 6-1 in just 53 minutes.

Gonzalez dropped just seven points on serve for the match and did not face a break point in his fourth Masters Series semifinal appearance of the year.

“For my style of game to play against Berdych is good,” said Gonzo who improved to 3-0 against the Czech star all without dropping a set. “I like to hit a lot of slice, change speeds, play high, low, hard. For the Czech players I know that's really tough. But my serve was really good today, and I was in control of every game that I served.”

The win puts Gonzalez into his first career Masters Series final, and against Federer who has beaten the Chilean in all seven prior meetings, most recently in Toronto in three sets 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 this summer

“Last time when we played he was playing I lost the first in 20 minutes,” Gonzo said of his match with Federer in Toronto. “He played unbelievable one set. After I got into the match it was close. But again I can't wait. I have to go in, I have to hit the ball, and I have to win the match. I have to go for it. I can't wait.”

By defeating Nalbandian Federer improved to 81-5 on the year and is now one win away from topping his career-best 81-4 season, set last year. Federer, who has now won 18 straight matches, will also be gunning for his 10th title of the year.

Gonzalez, who reached last week's Vienna final, has won 14 of his past 18 matches and has now reached the semifinals or better in four of his past five outings. The Chilean also moves into the 9th position in the race for the Tennis Masters Cup.