By Chris Oddo | Saturday June 23, 2018
Roger Federer struggled at times but ultimately claimed his 20th consecutive grass-court win in straight sets by beating Denis Kudla in the Halle semifinals.
Photo Source: Thomas Starke/Getty
It wasn’t the typical vintage grass-court Roger Federer that we’re accustomed to seeing, but nonetheless it was another win for the Swiss on his beloved grass, and another step towards a 99th career title and record tenth at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.
Federer’s 7-6(1), 7-5 victory on Saturday afternoon over American wild card Denis Kudla sends the Swiss into his 149th career final, and improves his record in 2018 to 25-2.
It was a scratchy performance from the world No.1, and it comes on the heels of a near disastrous loss to Benoit Paire in the second round in which Federer needed to save a pair of match point against the Frenchman to secure his spot in the quarterfinals.
But it was a win, most important, and if Federer can look beyond the disappointment he felt in his execution, he will no doubt take solace in the fact that he has weathered every storm that he has faced this week in Halle, and produced his very best tennis at the times he has needed it.
Federer traded breaks with Kudla in the opener, but as he has done all week, he managed to play his very best tennis when it mattered and raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first-set breaker before taking it 7-1.
The second set was difficult for Federer, and he let it show, earning a warning for ball abuse in the third game after he missed a half-volley at the net. There were several instances in the set that saw Federer miss volleys that have become routine for him, but he managed to stay on serve by saving all five break points that he faced in the set (he wiggled out of a 0-40 scenario in the eighth game) and eventually broke Kudla critically for a 6-5 lead.
He held to 15 in the final game, closing affairs in one hour and 27 minutes with a slice serve wide that elicited a long return from the American.
Federer improves to 63-6 lifetime at Halle and will bid for his tenth title against either Borna Coric or Roberto Bautista Agut on Sunday.
Kudla, who came from qualifying to reach the semis, is projected to rise from 109 to 83 in next week’s ATP rankings. He had won all ten sets he played in Halle prior to facing Federer.