NY Times · Jun 20, 2015
Top Seed Federer to Face Seppi for Eighth Halle Title
HALLE, Germany — World number two Roger Federer edged past Ivo Karlovic 7-6(3) 7-6(4) on Saturday to reach the Halle Open final where he will face Italian Andreas Seppi, who went through when opponent Kei Nishikori retired injured.
The Swiss top seed, eyeing his eighth title in the grasscourt Wimbledon warmup event, held serve throughout but was taken to two tiebreaks having failed to secure a single break point against the Croatian's powerful serve.
"It is always complicated to play against Ivo but I remained calm when it mattered," Federer told reporters.
"I was lucky in the first round (needing three sets against Philipp Kohlschreiber) so I am happy to have made the final."