LONDON (AP) – Roger Federer saved four match points on Saturday to ensure the most successful player at the ATP Finals will take on the best player of the season in a mouth-watering final.
Federer, a six-time champion, fought for nearly three hours to reach a ninth final in a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) win over fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka. The 17-time Grand Slam champion will face the top-ranked Novak Djokovic on Sunday.
Having swept his group imperiously, Federer was the favourite, but met strong resistance from the Australian Open champion, who failed to cope with nerves in the end.
Wawrinka had Federer under constant pressure from the baseline, and kept his composure until he served for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set. He dropped serve following three clumsy approaches to the net on match points.
Federer saved the fourth one with a service winner in the tiebreak then converted his first chance to seal the semi-final with a drop shot volley that Wawrinka could not return.
