World number one Roger Federer swept aside Spain's David Ferrer 6-1 6-4 in their Nasdaq-100 Open semi-final today, setting up a final clash with Ivan Ljubicic.
Croatian Ljubicic reached his third final in six ATP events this season by routing third seed David Nalbandian 6-1 6-2.
Top seed Federer was
in majestic form against Ferrer, claiming the opening set in less than 20 minutes and losing only four points on serve.
The Swiss was tested briefly in the second, but powered back effortlessly from a break down, reaching 4-3 on a Ferrer double-fault and claiming victory three games later.
"I played well, in the first set I didn't give him any chances," Federer told reporters after improving to 27-1 in 2006.
"The second set was tighter, but his game suits me on hardcourt. I'm playing so well that it was tough for him from the start."
The final will mark the second meeting between Federer and Ljubicic in the space of a fortnight after the Swiss beat the 26-year-old Croat in the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
Sixth seed Ljubicic clinched victory over Nalbandian with two successive aces, his 11th and 12th of the match.
The loss will have sounded the alarm bells for Nalbandian with Argentina due in Zagreb next week for their Davis Cup quarter-final against the holders.
"Everything went my way, I'm serving fantastic and I'm playing well," Ljubicic told reporters. "I'm moving well, I see the ball fantastically.
"It's really happening all positive for me."
Ljubicic, who won trophies last year in Chennai and Zagreb, has been in sparkling form this season, registering 25 wins and three defeats.
The Croat conceded only five points on serve against Nalbandian.
"I've been serving well in my last two matches," Ljubicic said. "He was in trouble all through the match.
"He had some kind of problem, he wasn't moving well." Ljubicic made no secret of his desire to face Federer after having lost to the Swiss player in six straight ATP matches since January last year.
"There is one guy (Federer) doing better than I am right now. I'm looking forward to playing him," said Ljubicic.
"I always enjoy playing him, even if I lose."
- REUTERS
