Robin Soderling claimed his first victory over world number one Roger Federer at the 13th time of asking in Abu Dhabi to reach the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship.
Federer began well in his first match of the campaign, taking the opening set on a tie-break and then breaking in the opening game of the second.
Soderling is a different prospect since reaching his first grand slam final in France last year, though, and he broke back in game six before levelling in a one-sided tie-break. The Swede gained the crucial break in the third game of the deciding set and then saved four break points in the next before breaking again to seal a 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/1) 6-2 victory.
The 25-year-old said: "I always said the more times I play him, the closer I'll get, and here I am.
"So far so good, but it's going to be a long season for sure. Hopefully I'll get to play against Roger a few more times."
Federer reflected on a tough opening to his 2010 season, saying: "Obviously it's hard to start playing against him but I had fun."
Soderling will face Rafael Nadal in the final after the world number two defeated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (7/3) 6-3.
Nadal, who lost to Andy Murray in last year's final, said: "This is the perfect preparation for Doha and then the Australian Open."
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