Federer into Halle final with Borg's record in his sights

BERLIN, June 17 (Reuters) Wimbledon champion Roger Federer reached the Halle International final after beating Tommy Haas 6-4 6-7 6-3 today to move within one win of equalling Bjorn Borg's record for consecutive victories on grass.

In the final the Swiss will play eighth seed Kristof Vliegen of Belgium or Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, seeded fifth.

Top seed Federer, three times champion in Halle, has this week been suffering the fallout from his defeat by Rafael Nadal in tomorrow French Open final and he was again less than convincing against the sixth seed from Germany.

The triple Wimbledon champion saved a set point at 6-5 in the second set before losing the tiebreak 7-4.

Federer broke early in the final set to build a 3-0 lead.

Haas had a chance to break back when Federer was serving for the match but the champion saved the break point before clinching victory in two hours 16 minutes.

Sweden's Borg, five times Wimbledon champion, set the open era record for consecutive wins on grass from 1976 to 1981.

Reuters PM RN1724