Federer Earns Final, Will Face No. 23 Seed

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 5, 2009 3:28 PM CDT
Federer Earns Final, Will Face No. 23 Seed
Switzerland's Roger Federer hugs Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro after their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Friday June 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Striving to complete a career Grand Slam, sentimental favorite Roger Federer came from behind twice in the semifinals to beat big-serving Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a French Open semifinal today in Paris. Playing in his fourth consecutive Roland Garros final, Federer will try for his 14th major title to match Pete Sampras' record.

"There's still one more step," Federer said. "I was a bit lucky but I fought well." His opponent Sunday will be No. 23-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden, who extended his improbable run by beating No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4. With nemesis Rafael Nadal eliminated in the fourth round, Federer faces a less daunting path to the elusive championship. He's 9-0 against Soderling. (More Roger Federer stories.)

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