Federer demolishes sorry Ferrero
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Roger Federer crushed Juan Carlos Ferrero in Houston
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HOUSTON, Texas -- Wimbledon champion Roger Federer crushed Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3 6-1 to complete round-robin play unbeaten at the ATP Masters Cup.
In the semis Federer will now play world number one Andy Roddick, who had to dig deep to overcome Argentine Guillermo Coria 6-3 6-7 6-3.
The other last four encounter is between Andre Agassi and Rainer Schuettler, despite the German losing his final group match to Spain's Carlos Moya 7-5 6-4.
Federer needed just 54 minutes on a sun-baked stadium court to sweep past a disinterested Ferrero, sending the French Open champion home without a win and his number two ranking in jeopardy.
The Swiss, however, must still win the $3.65 million year-end event if he is to push the Spaniard out of second spot in the world rankings.
" I think if I win all my matches until the end of the tournament I can still end number two in the world," said Federer, who also advanced to the semi-finals of last year's event falling to eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt.
Ferrero and Federer had arrived in Texas locked in a battle with Roddick for the coveted year-end number one ranking.
But Roddick clinched the honor on Wednesday when Agassi beat Ferrero.
Thundering serve
Using his thundering serve and punishing forehand to good effect, Roddick claimed the only break of the first set to open his account.
When he broke Coria again to go 2-1 up in the second set Roddick looked well in control but the Argentine produced some inspired tennis to force a tiebreak which he won 7-4 when Roddick double faulted.
Roddick was broken again at the start of the decider but he turned the match round with dramatic swiftness, powering through the final five games and ending with two booming aces.
"It's going to be tough against Federer," said Roddick. "He's definitely played the best tennis through the round-robin and I'm just lucky to be here.
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Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
