Basel: World number one Roger Federer survived a difficult first set before beating unseeded compatriot Marco Chiudinelli to reach the final of his hometown Swiss Indoors on Saturday.
He will face third-ranked Novak Djokovic, who pulled off an even more impressive survival act by saving three match points before beating Radek Stepanek 6-7 7-5 6-2.
Federer, facing an opponent who has rocketed up more than 800 places up the world rankings in the last year to 73rd, saved a set point in the first set tiebreak before going on to win 7-6 6-3 against the Swiss number three.
With Chiudinelli serving for the set, Federer produced a stunning crosscourt backhand pass and followed that up with an ace.
Chiudinelli then blasted a forehand out to give Federer the set. The rank outsider had more than held his own during the first set when he also had three break points in the eighth game.
Having missed his chances, the second set went to script as Federer brushed aside his less illustrious countryman to move within one match of his fourth successive title in Basel.
"It's a very emotional tournament for me," said Federer, who was once a ball boy at the event.
"You have to be very focused on this surface," added Federer, who took a six-week break beforehand. "I think I'm ready for a difficult match."
Difficult match
Djokovic was a relieved man after battling against his own serving problems.
"I served quite badly throughout the match and on this surface its crucial to serve well," Djokovic told reporters.
"It was a very difficult match."
In the dramatic 10th game Stepanek held a 40-0 lead and three match points after some erratic serving from the Serb.
Djokovic regained his composure and managed to save all three to hold serve, then broke his opponent in the following game with a crosscourt pass.
Results
Valencia Open men's singles semifinal results from Spain
1-Andy Murray (Britain) beat 4-Fernando Verdasco (Spain) 6-3 2-6 6-3
Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) beat2-Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 3-6 6-4 6-3
(prefix denotes seeding)
