Oct 29, 2006 3 min read

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) – Roger Federer rallied in a third-set tiebreaker Saturday to reach the Swiss Indoors final, beating Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) for his 23rd straight victory. The top-ranked Swiss, trying to win his hometown tournament for the first time, will play for the title Sunday against defending champion Fernando Gonzalez, who beat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

In last week’s Madrid Masters, Federer defeated Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 to win his third straight tournament and 10th title of the year.

“He’s the best player in the world and it’s going to be really tough,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez has advanced to the final in his last three tournaments. The Chilean is vying for a place in next month’s Masters Cup in China. The top eight players in the ATP race qualify, and he is in ninth place.

Federer dropped his first set in 11 matches and was twice a mini-break down in the tiebreaker. Paradorn could have won by taking two points on serve while leading 5-4. Federer hit a forehand winner and then the Thai made an error, allowing the Swiss to close the match.

Gicquel in first final

LYON, France – Marc Gicquel reached his first career final Saturday, defeating seventh-seeded Xavier Malisse 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (5) at the Lyon Grand Prix.

Gicquel will play fourth-seeded Richard Gasquet on Sunday in an all-French final. Gasquet defeated countryman Arnaud Clement 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 in the other semifinal.

Clement won this event in 2000, and this was Gasquet’s first career win over him in three meetings this season. Gasquet will be going for his third title.

Sharapova, Petrova in Generali Ladies final

LINZ, Austria- Maria Sharapova, unbeaten since August, reached the Generali Ladies final with a 7-5, 7-5 victory Saturday over Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.

The top-seeded Sharapova will play for the title Sunday against defending champion Nadia Petrova in an all-Russian final. Petrova, seeded second, defeated Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2.

Sharapova stretched her winning streak to 15 matches, with her last defeat coming to Elena Dementieva in Los Angeles this summer.

Sharapova and Petrova will each be playing in her seventh final of the season – Sharapova winning four times, Petrova five.

Ancic advances

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Third-seeded Mario Ancic beat wild-card Ernest Gulbis 6-2, 6-3 Saturday to reach the St. Petersburg Open final, where he will face defending champion Thomas Johansson.

Johansson beat wild-card Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 7-6 (3) to advance to the final.

In his first final this season, Johansson will be looking for his 10th career title and the third one here. He also won in 1997.

In his victory, Ancic saved a break point in the fifth game of the first set before winning four straight games and the set.

The 18-year-old Gulbis, playing in his first ATP event, failed to convert four break points in the third game of the second set. Ancic then broke him to love in the eighth game and served three winners to close the match.