World number one Roger Federer showed he was hitting top form at the right time as he demolished Tim Henman 6-4, 6-2 at the Kooyong Classic on Friday to set up a mouthwatering final with Andy Roddick.
Federer, who defends his Australian Open title at Melbourne Park next week, cruised to victory in a little more than an hour and now takes on American world number two Roddick in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon final, a match won by the Swiss player.
In bright sunshine which made serving difficult, Federer broke in the third and seventh games of the opening set and repeated the feat in the second to charge into the final of the eight-man event.
"I thought it was a good match today," said Federer, who won three of the four Grand Slams in 2004.
"I am really happy with the way things are going. My second match was much better than my first here [against Gaston Gaudio] and I have the feeling that my game is heading in the right direction."
UPBEAT MOOD
Despite his defeat, Henman was in upbeat mood as he headed into the first Grand Slam of the year.
"Of course you'd like to win these matches but I'm really happy with the way things have progressed here," said the Briton.
| |||||||||||
But having reached the semi-finals at the French and US Opens in 2004, he said he was more confident of a good run in Melbourne than at any stage in his career.
"Last year, my match against Canas was probably one of my best all year," he said.
"Now, I am a better player than I've ever been."
Olympic champion Nicolas Massu suffered a scare when he was forced to retire from his match against Argentine David Nalbandian because of an injury to his left foot.
Nalbandian led 6-4, 2-1 when Massu, who had a hernia operation in November, quit. But the Chilean said he hoped to be fit for the Australian Open.
"That's why I retired today," he said. "If I had to play the tournament now, I think I'm going to play, but it's going to be difficult for me.
"Five-set matches after surgery are always difficult."
In the day's other match, Croat Ivan Ljubicic, a replacement for Paradorn Srichaphan, beat French Open champion Gaudio 6-4, 6-4.