12th May, 2012
Roger Federer moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th Masters title when he thumped Janko Tipsarevic 6-2 6-3 at the Madrid Open on Saturday to set up a final showdown with Tomas Berdych on Sunday.
The Swiss maestro, whose 19 Masters titles put him one behind record holder Rafa Nadal, stroked 25 winners on the blue clay of the Manolo Santana show court as he chases a fourth title of the year that would lift him above Nadal to No 2 in the world.
Seventh seed Tipsarevic could not reproduce the form that helped him to a shock quarter final win against top seed and Serbian compatriot Novak Djokovic on Friday and has now lost all five of his meetings with Federer.
Federer came into the tournament following a month-long rest and the 30-year-old is looking in ominous form as the world’s top players prepare for the French Open starting in Paris later this month.
The 2009 Madrid champion has won titles this year in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells and has only lost three times since falling to Djokovic at the US Open semi final last September.