Federer ousts Tsitsipas in Basel semis for 50th win of the season

Monday, 28 October 2019 00:41 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Top seed Roger Federer dispatched Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Swiss Indoors championships in Basel on Saturday for his 50th win of the season. 

It was a record 16th time that Federer had won 50 ATP tour games in a season and he has yet to drop a set at this year’s Basel tournament, where he has now won 23 consecutive matches over the years.

The 38-year-old will be looking to win his 10th title in his hometown when he faces unseeded Australian Alex de Minaur in Sunday’s final – the 157th tour-level final of the 20-times Grand Slam winner’s career.

“It’s hard to believe that I’m in another Basel final. It’s super exciting,” Federer said.

“(The fans) enjoy when I’m playing good tennis and it pushes me to play even better, keep on trying every point and try to make something happen. That’s what you do with a home court advantage.” The Swiss former world number one did not drop serve – with high win percentages on his first (80%) and second serve (85%) – and he broke the 21-year-old Tsitsipas twice in the 78-minute contest.

Federer, who had 28 winners, was also a constant threat when he approached the net, winning nine of 10 net points in the opening set alone.

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