22nd June, 2019
Only Belgian David Goffin is the final obstacle to Swiss legend Roger Federer from clinching a record 10th Halle title.
Federer reached the final of the ATP event for the 13th time on Saturday with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Andy Murray’s new doubles partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
World number 43 Herbert, 28, struggled in his first-ever meeting with 20-time major winner Federer, who is chasing a record-extending tenth title in Halle this year.
The straight-sets victory provided welcome respite for Federer, who was forced to battle through gruelling three-set encounters with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in the week.
Federer told Tennis TV: “It’s great. I thought it was a very solid performance from me. I didn’t struggle on serve and I had my opportunities on the return and was able to take them.
“I was able to find some good energy today, especially in the important moments. It was maybe exactly what I needed going into the finals now.”
David Goffin, the final opponent of the 37 year-old Swiss qualified after he battled past rising Italian star Matteo Berrettini earlier on Saturday.
Goffin, 28, who also knocked out home favourite and world number five Alexander Zverev in the last eight on Thursday, beat Berrettini 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to reach his first ATP Tour final since 2017.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I have worked really hard in the last few months and it is paying off now,” said Goffin.
The Belgian proved one challenge too many for in-form 23-year-old Berrettini, who has risen to 22 in the world rankings this season and claimed his second ATP title of the year in Stuttgart last week.
Goffin has lost seven of his eight meetings with Federer in the past, beating him in three sets at the 2017 ATP Finals in London.
“We all know how good Roger is on grass. He is incredible, but I will try to be ready to beat him,” said Goffin.
“Roger has had tough matches this week against Tsonga and Bautista Agut, but as soon as he has had to play his best tennis, he has done so.”