Top-seeded Roger Federer breezed into the semi-finals of the Halle grasscourt tournament in Germany on Friday, thrashing local wildcard Mischa Zverev 6-0 6-0.
He needed only 39 minutes to record the second “double bagel” of his career. The first was over Gaston Gaudio at the Masters Cup in Shanghai in 2005.
Federer is looking for his first title of the year. In the semi-finals, he will play Tommy Haas or Gael Monfils. Haas beat Federer in last year’s final in Halle.
Federer is seeking his sixth title on grass at Halle, his favourite tune-up for Wimbledon. Federer has seven Wimbledon titles and will be the defending champion there. Four of his Wimbledon titles have come after triumphs in Halle. But his last title in Halle was in 2008.
“It’s been a long time since I won here so that title this year has the highest priority for me,” Federer said.
Second-seeded Richard Gasquet also made the last four, beating eighth-seeded Florian Mayer 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to stay on course for a third title this year.
Mayer produced a pair of stunning diving winners but Gasquet was the steadier player and fired an ace to finish the match. He will play German Philipp Kohlschreiber or Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.