Roger Federer Reaches 12th Halle Final, Will Face Borna Coric
(June 23, 2018) Defending champion, 36-year-old Roger Federer will play 21-year-old Borna Coric in the Gerry Weber Open final on Sunday. Federer is looking for his 10th title in Halle in his 12th final, 19th grass-court title and 99th title of his career and to hold on to his No. 1 ranking.
Federer had to battle past American qualifier Denis Kudla 7-6 (1), 7-5 to win his 20th straight match on grass. The Swiss has not had an easy time this week, saving match points against Benoit Paire in the second round.
Federer is two match wins away from equaling Jimmy Connors’ all-time record of 174 victories on grass.
“It’s good to know that I always play well when it’s needed,” Federer said.
Coric advanced when fourth-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut retired after slipping on the grass with the Spaniard leading 3-2.
“It’s a good warmup. I’m on a run,” said Federer.
“I’m very happy,” said Federer.
“I’ve never played back-to-back finals on grass like this in events before Wimbledon. So, this is a first for me. I’m very happy having won Stuttgart and, now, making another final here in Halle is great. I would have taken that any day a month ago.”
For the Croatian Coric, it will be his first career grass-court final.
