tennis news

6 November 2009

Friends reunited for Federer in Basel

Federer: Faces former schoolmate next

World number one Roger Federer will face his old schoomate Marco Chiudinelli in the semi-final of the Swiss Indoors.

Federer advanced to the last four with a 6-3 6-2 triumph over Russia's Evgeny Korolev, his 18th straight victory at his home-town event in Basel.

Chiudinelli, the world number 73 and also from Basel, had earlier demolished Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1 6-3 to reach the first ATP Tour semi-final of his career.

"It's so rare that I play a good friend like this," Federer said. "It should be a great experience. Marco has really been improving this year. It will be tough but enjoyable."

In the other semi-final, second seed Novak Djokovic came from a set and a break down to beat Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka.

The Serbian prevailed 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to book a last-four meeting with fifth seed Radek Stepanek, who saw off fourth seed Marin Cilic 4-6 6-3 6-3.