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Federer beats Haas to reach Dubai Open final DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Roger Federer beat Tommy Haas in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 on Friday to reach his fifth straight Dubai Open final.

The top-ranked Federer, who dropped sets in earlier rounds against Kristian Pless and Novak Djokovic, never lost serve in defeating the fifth-seeded German.

It was the Swiss star’s 40th straight victory. He is six wins away from Guillermo Vilas’ all-time record of 46 consecutive wins, set in 1977.

Federer will next face Mikhail Youzhny, who reached his second straight tournament final by beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling 7-5, 6-2.

Haas, who won last week’s ATP tournament in Memphis without facing a break point, had an early chance to break Federer in the second game of the first set.

He later had three break points in the fourth game of the second set.

But Federer played efficient if not spectacular tennis to hold off the challenge. He broke Haas in the third game of the first set and 11th game of the second.

Henin reaches final after defeating Jankovic

DOHA, Qatar – Top-seeded Justine Henin rallied to beat fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the final of the Qatar Open.

Henin will play today against second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had one break in the first set and three in the second to beat sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

Loit is first finalist at Mexican Open

ACAPULCO, Mexico – Emilie Loit became the first finalist of the Mexican Open with a win over Julie Schruff 0-6, 6-2, 6-1 .

Loit, seeded 10th and ranked No. 52, will play against the winner of fifth seeded Flavia Pennetta and Sara Errani.

Mistake removes Blake, advances Koralev

LAS VEGAS – Top-seeded James Blake was removed from the quarterfinals of the Tennis Channel Open after ATP Tour officials reversed a ruling that had allowed him to advance due to a competitor’s withdrawal during round-robin play.

Evgeny Korolev took Blake’s place in the quarterfinals and won 6-4, 6-4 over Sam Querrey, and ATP officials released a statement blaming the confusion on “an incorrect variation of ATP rules.”

Blake had been awarded a quarterfinal spot after Argentine player Juan Martin del Potro withdrew Thursday because of respiratory problems during a match with Blake leading 6-3, 3-1.

On Friday, Blake received an early-morning call from ATP officials informing him of the reversal. He said later he had been preparing for a quarterfinal match.

“No, I didn’t understand the rule the way it was explained to me,” Blake said at an afternoon news conference. “I wish I would have known it before I went on the court.”

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