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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:26 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008

Tennis: Federer runs grass streak to 58 at Halle

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns to Germany's Nicolas Kiefer during his semifinal match of the ATP International Series tennis tournament Gerry Weber Open in Halle, western Germany, Saturday, June 14, 2008. Federer won 6-1, 6-4.

ECKEHARD SCHULZ | Associated Press

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HALLE, Germany — Roger Federer reached the Gerry Weber Open final and pushed his record winning streak on grass to 58 matches Saturday with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Germany's Nicolas Kiefer.

Federer has not dropped his serve in any match at the Wimbledon warmup. The top-ranked Swiss has won the tournament four times, each time going on to win the grand slam tournament.

"Nobody has won the grand slam from the Gerry Weber Open before me," Federer said. "I hope I can do it again."

Federer has served 39 times without a break at the tournament, allowing only two chances, in running his winning streak at Halle to 24 matches.

In Sunday's final, Federer faces the winner between seventh-ranked James Blake and Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Kiefer, who has fallen to No. 38 after a wrist injury, was the last player to beat Federer in Halle — in the 2002 semifinals. The next year at Halle, Federer launched his grass streak, which includes five Wimbledon titles.

Federer broke the serve of Kiefer — a 1999 winner and twice a losing finalist here — in the first game, ending a trade of volleys by lashing one into the open court.