Federer Sets Doha Semis Clash With Tsonga

© AFP/Getty ImagesTsonga hit 26 winners in his quarter-final win Thursday.

Defending Doha champion Roger Federer will clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, after the World No. 3 topped Andreas Seppi 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday. The victory marks Federer’s 20th straight win, and sets up a replay of the 2011 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title match. "We've played very often, and now there's no more such secrets out there, especially having played three straight times basically at the end of [last[ season," said Federer. "It's going to be pretty much straightforward for both of us, and I hope we can live up to the expectations and show a good match to the fans."

The second-seeded Federer had dominated Seppi in their previous seven meetings, winning every set they played. But after taking the first set with relative ease, the Swiss fell behind 1-5 to the No. 8 seed in the second set, before rallying to even the score at 5-5. Seppi regained his composure, breaking Federer in the final game to win his first set in 17 attempts against the 16-time major champion.

Federer, though, wasn’t fazed by Seppi’s turnaround. He won 89 per cent of his first serve points in the final set to win the fast paced quarter-final encounter in one hour and 38 minutes. "I thought he was a better player in the second set and deserved that set," stated Federer. "Then the third set was close. I had my chances; he had his chances. I was able to take mine, but at the end, that was the small difference today."

The 30 year is looking to win his fourth title at the event, having lifted the trophy in 2011, 2006 and 2005. He’ll play the third-seeded Tsonga in a highly anticipated semi-final on Friday.

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Tsonga powered past qualifier Albert Ramos 6-2, 6-1 in a convincing victory. "I started very well. It was a bit easier than yesterday because of the wind," Tsonga said in an on-court interview. "I think my serve is my best weapon. Without it, I cannot win."

The World No. 6 hit 26 winners, won 83 per cent of his first serve points, and converted five breaks of serve to overwhelm the Spaniard in one hour and eight minutes. "My serve was good, because I had a good percentage," said Tsonga. "With the wind I think it's a good weapon, because when the wind is across the court, I can slice the ball. This is my best serve. When I play a lefty, it's easier for me to put him out of the court. Then the court is open for me and it's easy."

The Frenchman is into the final four at the event for the second year in a row. He is looking to win his eighth title; all of his previous triumphs have come on hard courts.

Federer holds an 8-3 record against Tsonga in their FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series. The two met eight times in 2011, with Federer going 6-2 in those matches. Tsonga's two wins came in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, where he overcame a two sets to love deficit, and the third round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal. Following those back-to-back defeats, Federer won four straight matches against the 26 year old, claiming victory in the US Open quarter-finals, BNP Paribas Masters final, and twice in London at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. "I think when you beat him, you know you can do it and that's it," Tsonga said. "So of course when you are going on the court the next time, you are a bit more confident. But it's difficult anyway to play against Federer, because when he plays his best level, it's better than every player."