Intro:

Roger Federer defeated Kei Nishikori 6-3 7-6 (7-4) on Saturday (14 June) to reach the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.

Script:

World number four Roger Federer has won the Gerry Weber Open six times previously, and on Saturday was bidding to qualify for another final at the event in Halle, Germany.

Standing in his way was Japan's world number 12 Kei Nishikori, who reached a career-high rank of ninth in the world in May 2014 to become the first Japanese man ranked in the world top ten.

The two men were the last two seeded players left in the competition, with second-seeded Federer and fourth-seeded Nishikori battling it out for a spot against Alejandro Falla in the final.

Federer broke Nishikori early in the first set, and after Nishikori failed to capitalise on one of his own later in the set, the Swiss star held serve to take the first set 6-3.

Both men then traded a break each in the second set, but otherwise held serve as it went to a tie-break.

Federer scored a mini-break on the first point of the tie-break and never looked back as he streaked away to a 7-4 win break to take the match 6-3 7-6.

He will face Falla, the world number 69, in the final.