15 January,2009 01:47 PM IST | | AFP
Roger Federer passed a tough test Thursday to reach the final of Australia's Kooyong Classic, needing three sets and more than two hours to defeat Fernando Verdasco.
The Swiss world number 2 got a workout before finally subduing Spain's Davis Cup finals hero, firing an ace on the fourth match point to win 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5).
Federer will await the winner of Friday's Promotion round match at the eight-man Australian Open tune-up, which will see his Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka face Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.
After advancing on opening day in 57 minutes against Carlos Moya, Federer said that going three sets was fine.
"I'll play enough tennis this week, it's better to be on the match court," said the 13-time grand slam winner. "The second set wasn't the best of levels, he was struggling with the sun and I couldn't capitalise."
In the relegation round, 2006 Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis got his trademark smile back as he won his first match of the season, beating Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.
"It was nice to play and to win a match like that," said the Cypriot, who has been plagued by injuries in recent months.
"This is a relief. The serving was not very pretty, but I managed. I played more aggressive than in my first match," a loss to Wawrinka. "I hope to just keep it up."
Baghdatis said a 90-minute workout at Melbourne Park the previous day helped him polish his game. "I'm starting to feel good on court. I'm just playing my game and not thinking. And I still have four days to work on my serve."
It was Federer's third victory over Verdasco after beating the young Spaniard on clay in 2005 and 2008 in Hamburg.
The Swiss stormed through the opening set after grabbing a 5-0 lead before Verdasco fought back and made a contest of it.
"As it went on, we played better and better," said Federer. "In the end it was a good match."
In the other relegation round match, Marin Cilic earned a chance at a possible third-place finish at the weekend as he defeated Spanish veteran Moya 6-3, 7-6 (7-1) to leave the 32-year-old 0-2 this week.
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