Fed battles past Ljubicic

Roger Federer moved a step closer to clinching a 64th ATP Tour title when he beat Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Stockholm Open.

The world number two improved his runaway record against the Croatian to 13-3 having won the last 10 meetings between the pair.

Ljubicic was the first to break but Federer eventually levelled the opening set before taking the tie-break 7-5.

He then gained an early advantage in the second when a lucky bounce off the net cord helped him convert a break point.

“It’s been good all week,” said Federer, who is making his first appearance at the event in 10 years. “I started with a first win in under an hour and they just got tougher since that.

“I’ve only had three matches so far and there’s not been a lot of tennis played.

“I had to be patient against Ivan in the first set, I missed some shots and some chances. But after I pulled out the first set with the tie-breaker, things went better for me.

“I was feeling better about my game as the match went on. In the second set he was perhaps forcing the issue and making more errors.”

Federer will take on Florian Mayer of Germany in the final after he overcame Finn Jarkko Nieminen 4-6 6-4 7-6.

The 47th-ranked Mayer converted the first of three match points to clinch the deciding tie-break 7-3 but admitted his efforts have left him with little in the tank.

“I have nothing to lose,” he said of Sunday’s final. “I was a little tired today, physically and mentally.

“I didn’t play my best today but I fought unbelievable out there. I really wanted to be in the final. I think I deserve it.”