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Federer nears record in reaching Masters Cup semis
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 00:30
Roger Federer overcame a set-second lapse against Guillermo Coria at the
Tennis Masters Cup to claim his 34th consecutive victory and move within two of
a 21-year-old record.
Roger Federer of
Switzerland returns a shot to Guillermo Coria of Argentina in the Tennis
Masters Cup in Shanghai, China November 17, 2005. Federer won 6-0 1-6 6-2.
[Reuters] | Federer had a stop-start 6-0, 1-6, 6-2 win over fourth-seeded Coria on
Thursday, topping the Red Group ahead of the semifinals.
Argentina's
David Nalbandian joined Federer in the semis with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Ivan
Ljubicic in 67 minutes, serving out at love in the last game.
Federer, already assured of a semifinal spot after two earlier victories,
mixed flashes of brilliance with 33 unforced errors as he improved to 80-3 this
year, two wins shy of John McEnroe's Open era record (82-3) for best winning
percentage in a season.
Two-time defending champion Federer next faces either Gaston Gaudio or
Fernando Gonzalez.
Federer wasn't concerned by his small lapse against Coria, joking that he
liked to give the crowd value for money by staying on court for three sets.
The 24-year-old Swiss star had a heavy brace on his right ankle again to
protect the injury that kept him on the sidelines for six weeks before the
season-ending tournament.
"In the end I'm happy I didn't use too much energy and came through," Federer
said. "I'm a bit disappointed about that second set ... but the win is what
counts.
"I'm not 100 percent ... but I'll be OK for the
weekend."
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