Roger Federer ousts Jarkko Nieminen in the quarterfinal – World Tennis Tournament 2012
Swiss Maestro Roger Federer moved one step closer to winning his second title in Rotterdam, as he prevailed over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(2) in the quarterfinal at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Friday. The top seed closed out the match in just an hour and 30 minutes.
Federer and Nieminen held their serves in the first ten games of the opener to even out the score at 5-5. The Swiss ace won Nieminen’s serve in the eleventh, taking advantage of the break and clutching the set 7-5.
The 30-year-old, Federer hit some sharp angled serves, firing three aces and getting successful in 18 of the 22 first delivery points. The Swiss exerted pressure on Nieminen’s second serves, grabbing six of the 13 points on them.
Federer and Nieminen served brilliantly in the second set, not losing any of their own games. The Finn was under pressure in the seventh and ninth game but managed to make it through after saving three break points. The set was forced into a tie-break and Federer allowed Nieminen to claim just a couple of points before bagging it 7-6(2).
Nieminen was so much pressurised from Federer’s aggressive returns that his second serve started to bounce outside the allowed area, committing two double faults. On the other hand, Federer kept on winning easy points on his serve, as he hit five aces and did not come across any break risk.
Talking to the reporters after the match, the Swiss said, "We both did really well on our own service games, which made it difficult on the return. But I played a good breaker."
Federer came through his second round without playing a single point, as his opponent in the round of 16, Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, failed to make it to the court due to an injury.
The 16-time grand slam champion said, "It was good to have a tough match today because I got a walkover in the second round. I have to give Jarrko credit too. He played aggressive on both the forehand and backhand."
Federer added, "Jarkko did his job well, he's a good friend of mine and a good guy, always very fair. I've got a good record against him but every time he makes you work.”
This was the 13th meeting between these two on the ATP World Tour, with Federer being victorious in all of the matches. The only time when Nieminen was able to win a set was when they met for the last time. The Finn lost in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round at the Swiss Indoors Basel.
Federer is slated to face Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the semi-final.
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