Federer script history again; becomes oldest ATP World No. 1
Roger Federer added yet another record to his vast collection
when he became the oldest ATP world number one by beating Dutchman Robin Haase 4-6 6-1 6-1 to reach the semi-finals in
Rotterdam on Friday.
Fresh from winning his 20th grand slam title in Melbourne
this month, Federer took a wildcard into ABN AMRO World Tennis event with his
eyes fixed on a return to number one for the first time since November 2012.
Needing to reach the last four to overtake great rival
Rafael Nadal, Federer showed some early Nerves
in his quarterfinal clash in the port city’s Ahoy Arena, dropping server in the ninth game on his way
to conceding the first set.
But the 36-year old Swiss, as he usually does, moved through
the gears to punish a physically struggling Haase.
A demoralized Haase double faulted on match point and after
an initially restrained celebration Federer sat on his chair and looked close
to tears as his feat sank in-as did some of the Swiss fans leading the
rapturous applause.
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