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Roger Federer has been a player to beat in Halle for almost two decades, securing ten titles and reaching 15 consecutive semi-finals! It's the most extended streak in the Open era, and Roger achieved it following the quarter-final victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in 2019.
Federer ousted Bautista Agut 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in an hour and 53 minutes to remain on the title course. It was a hard-fought battle for Roger for the second straight match, previously prevailing over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Federer dropped the second set against Bautista Agut and grabbed a late break in the decider to emerge at the top.
The Swiss fended off four out of five break points and captured three return games from six opportunities to cross the finish line first. Roberto fought well and fired 26 winners and 27 unforced errors, playing at a high level, especially in the second set.
Roger responded with 34 winners and 24 mistakes, surviving a couple of loose games and producing his A-game in the crucial moments to deliver his ninth victory from as many encounters against the Spaniard. Nothing could separate them in the more extended exchanges, and Federer made the decisive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes.
The nine-time winner was the dominant figure in the opening set, hitting 12 winners and five unforced errors and never giving Bautista Agut any chance on the return after dropping two points in four service games.
Roger Federer defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in the 2019 Halle quarter-final.
Facing an ultimate challenge, the Spaniard could not produce similar numbers.
He suffered a break at love in the first game following Roger's forehand winner to find himself in trouble after only a minute. Both players served well in the next seven games, and the Swiss secured the opener with another break in game nine for 6-3 in 29 minutes.
In set number two, Roberto started to hit with more intensity and depth. He defended his serve nicely and broke Federer at 1-1 to move in front. The Spaniard served for the set at 5-4 and blasted a service winner to force a decider, delivering nine winners and five unforced errors to leave the Swiss behind.
Federer stayed calm and fended off a couple of break chances at the beginning of the third set. The crowd's favorite created an opportunity in the next game following a good attack. Bautista Agut denied it and stayed on the positive side of the scoreboard.
Serving at 3-4, the Spaniard erased a break point with a good serve and kept the pace with the great rival, hoping to reach a tie break. Roger had other plans, though, breaking his opponent at 15 in the tenth game to seal the deal and book a place in the semis.