Federer fights back to beat Haas in Halle

World number three Roger Federer edged closer to his first title of the season when he beat defending champion Tommy Haas 3-6 6-3 6-4 at the Halle Open yesterday to book a spot in today’s final.

The 31-year-old Swiss looked sharp on the grass court after an erratic start in what was a re-match of last year’s final as he prepares for his title defence at Wimbledon this month.

Federer, five-times champion at Halle, will play Mikhail Youzhny in the final. The Russian beat Richard Gasquet, of France, 6-3 6-2 in the other semi-final later in the afternoon.

“I felt good out there and as I had predicted it was a tough match,” Federer said.

“I have not won a title this year, twice I have lost here in the final in the past years. It will not be easy but I am really looking forward to it.”

Federer’s unusually erratic forehand earned 35-year-old Haas his first break points at 3-2 and another long crosscourt forehand by the Swiss gave the world number 11 a two-game cushion.

Haas, whose 2012 final win over Federer was his first in 10 years against him, saved two break points at 5-2 to serve out the set when Federer pushed another forehand long.

The tables were turned in the second set with Federer racing to a 3-0 lead after breaking Haas with a much more aggressive game.

After drawing level, Federer kept up the pressure to earn yet another break when Haas double-faulted to go 3-1 up and he clinch victory on his second match point.

Queens’s SFs (men): Murray bt Tsonga 4-6 6-3 6-2; Cilic bt Hewitt 6-4 4-6 6-2.