Federer defeats Stepanek at Rogers Cup

Defending champion Roger Federer reached the final of the Rogers Cup with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over Radek Stepanek on Saturday.

Federer will meet the winner of the evening semifinal between No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain and No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Sunday. Federer is going for his 50th career title.

Federer reached his seventh final in 10 tournaments this year. The Rogers Cup is his first tournament since taking his fifth straight Wimbledon title on July 8.

"I was very happy with the way I played," he said. "It was a tough match with a lot of crucial points and a lot of shots played on reaction.

The 26-year-old Swiss ace has won 16 straight matches at the Rogers Cup, with tournament wins in 2004 and 2006 in Toronto.

Federer and Stepanek held serve through the first set, but Federer was down 0-40 in the seventh game. He took charge and won four straight points, two on aces, and saved the game.

"That was the key to the match," Stepanek said. "I didn't use that chance.

Federer let three set points slip away in the tiebreaker, but then ended it with a backhand return.

Stepanek was broken twice in the second set as Federer clinched the win.

It was the first time since 1989 that the top three seeds reached the semifinals in Canada. The last time the top two seeds played the final was 2004, when Federer beat Andy Roddick.