Federer storms into Qatar Open final

DOHA (Reuters) – Top seed and champion Roger Federer
stormed into the Qatar Open final with a 6-3 6-3 win over
Germany’s Tommy Haas on Friday.

The Swiss will contest his 43rd career final against the
winner of the second semi between French seventh seed Gael
Monfils and Filippo Volandri of Italy.

Federer began cautiously before breaking Haas, who was
attempting to reach his first title match since winning in Los
Angeles in July 2004, for a 4-3 lead with a lunging forehand
winner.

After gaining the psychological advantage, Federer reeled
off the next two games at love and clinched the set in 45
minutes.

Haas was quickly left floundering in the second set as he
tried to mix up his game to confuse the world number one, only
to produce a series of errors.

With Haas unable to handle Federer’s vicious forehands, the
Swiss forged ahead 5-2 and wrapped up the match in 80 minutes.

“We were pushing each other in the beginning. We were
almost even. Both of us had our chances early on,” Federer told
reporters after extending his head-to-head record against Haas
to 4-2.

“I started to play better after breaking him in the seventh
game and I didn’t look back after that. I made sure that my
game was working well.”