Roger Federer targets his tenth Halle Open title after safely advancing to final

Michael Graham 22 Jun 2019 10:01 PM

Roger Federer looks on at the Madrid Open PA

Roger Federer heading for 10th Halle title

Roger Federer is setting this sights on his 10th Halle Open title this Sunday against Belgium’s David Goffin.

Federer reached his 13th final at Halle, Germany, after beating Andy Murray’s new doubles partner, Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 6-3 in Saturday’s semi-final.

And, although the Swiss Champion has won the ATP 500 tournament nine times before, he says this one is “special.”

“It is very, very special. I am glad I got another chance this year, because last year I really didn’t know if I would ever play another Halle final,” he said.

The straight-sets victory was a welcome relief to Federer who faced grueling three set ties against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in the week.

“I feel in a similar situation to last year. I was perhaps more tired last year because I had played in Stuttgart the week before,” said Federer.

“I hope I can call on that extra bit of energy, because I am going to need it tomorrow.”

His opponent in the final, David Goffin saw off world number five Alexander Zverev in the last eight and rising Italian star Matteo Berrettini in his semi-final.

The Belgian was feeling in a positive mood, “It’s an amazing feeling. I have worked really hard in the last few months and it is paying off now,” he said.

Goffin has lost seven of his eight meetings with Federer in the past, and knows how difficult the challenge is ahead of him.

“We all know how good Roger is on grass. He is incredible, but I will try to be ready to beat him,” said Goffin.

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