Eight-time champion Federer eases into 13th Halle semi-final

BERLIN: Roger Federer eased closer to a ninth title at the Halle grass court tournament on Friday when he demolished defending champion Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

The world number five, building up to an assault on an eighth Wimbledon title in July, will next face Karen Khachanov, who defeated fellow Russian Andrey Rublev 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 6-3 in his last-eight clash.

Federer, 35, has yet to drop a set after three matches in Halle this week while his win on Friday took his head-to-head record against Mayer to 8-0, with five of those wins coming on grass.

"It was important to be aggressive off the baseline and make him feel my variation and the power I can bring to the court," said top seed Federer who has now reached the semi-finals in Halle on 13 consecutive occasions.

"And then having good footwork, to see the short ball, the floater, where I can come in and knock it off with a volley. I think I did it very well. I had lots of chances to even go up a double break in the second set."

Federer, who hit 11 aces and 32 winners, said facing Khachanov on Saturday will present a new challenge for him.

"It will be interesting. He´s big and strong and seems super excited to be on tour and he´s working hard," said the Swiss.

"I don´t know him that well yet so it´s a match where I´ll most likely focus on my own game. Make sure I serve well, because he can go through spells where he can serve big. It could be somewhat similar to how I played today."

Eight-time champion Federer eases into 13th Halle semi-final

BERLIN: Roger Federer eased closer to a ninth title at the Halle grass court tournament on Friday when he demolished defending champion Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

The world number five, building up to an assault on an eighth Wimbledon title in July, will next face Karen Khachanov, who defeated fellow Russian Andrey Rublev 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 6-3 in his last-eight clash.

Federer, 35, has yet to drop a set after three matches in Halle this week while his win on Friday took his head-to-head record against Mayer to 8-0, with five of those wins coming on grass.

"It was important to be aggressive off the baseline and make him feel my variation and the power I can bring to the court," said top seed Federer who has now reached the semi-finals in Halle on 13 consecutive occasions.

"And then having good footwork, to see the short ball, the floater, where I can come in and knock it off with a volley. I think I did it very well. I had lots of chances to even go up a double break in the second set."

Federer, who hit 11 aces and 32 winners, said facing Khachanov on Saturday will present a new challenge for him.

"It will be interesting. He´s big and strong and seems super excited to be on tour and he´s working hard," said the Swiss.

"I don´t know him that well yet so it´s a match where I´ll most likely focus on my own game. Make sure I serve well, because he can go through spells where he can serve big. It could be somewhat similar to how I played today."

Eight-time champion Federer eases into 13th Halle semi-final

BERLIN: Roger Federer eased closer to a ninth title at the Halle grass court tournament on Friday when he demolished defending champion Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

The world number five, building up to an assault on an eighth Wimbledon title in July, will next face Karen Khachanov, who defeated fellow Russian Andrey Rublev 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 6-3 in his last-eight clash.

Federer, 35, has yet to drop a set after three matches in Halle this week while his win on Friday took his head-to-head record against Mayer to 8-0, with five of those wins coming on grass.

"It was important to be aggressive off the baseline and make him feel my variation and the power I can bring to the court," said top seed Federer who has now reached the semi-finals in Halle on 13 consecutive occasions.

"And then having good footwork, to see the short ball, the floater, where I can come in and knock it off with a volley. I think I did it very well. I had lots of chances to even go up a double break in the second set."

Federer, who hit 11 aces and 32 winners, said facing Khachanov on Saturday will present a new challenge for him.

"It will be interesting. He´s big and strong and seems super excited to be on tour and he´s working hard," said the Swiss.

"I don´t know him that well yet so it´s a match where I´ll most likely focus on my own game. Make sure I serve well, because he can go through spells where he can serve big. It could be somewhat similar to how I played today."