Federer, Henman to clash in Tokyo final

Oct 7, 2006, 13:51 GMT

Tokyo - Roger Federer took a step closer to his ninth title of the season Saturday as he crushed Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4 to set up a final with Tim Henman at the AIG Open.

The Swiss top seeded needed just an hour to defeat the 14th-seeded player who ended Andre Agassi's career at the US Open.

The resurgent Henman is poised on the brink of his first trophy in nearly three years after defeating Korea's Hyung-taik Lee 6-4, 7-6.

Federer was untroubled as he blew past Becker with the roof open at the Ariake colosseum after two days of rain from a typhoon.

The first set was over in little more than half an hour while Federer secured an early break in the second on the way to his 76th win against just five defeats in 2006.

It would be really great to win my first title in Japan,' said Federer, the world number 1 making his debut in the country this week. 'It was a straight-forward win.

'I'm feeling good. It's a dream to be in the final the first time.'

The Swiss advanced on his first match point as he overwhelmed Becker.

Henman, seeded tenth, has thrived in the fast conditions, handily defeating last year's finalist Mario Ancic in the semi-finals as he played two matches on the same day Friday due to the rain.

'I've had some of my best results indoors. I'm enjoying it a lot. I hope I can continue to play well,' said the number 55 whose last title was earned in late 2003 indoors at the Paris Masters Series.

Federer has ruled on hardcourt this season, securing a 48-2 mark on the surface. He is bidding for his 31st title in 45 tournaments and stands 38-2 since the May 29 start of Roland Garros.

Federer is level at 6-all against Henman, the Swiss winning their last five in succession. Henman started out 4-0 against Federer from their first meeting in 1999 in Federer's hometown of Basle.

In the women's draw, top seed Marion Bartoli won an all-French battle over Camille Pin, 6-0, 6-1. Japan's Aiko Nakamura beat Yung- Jan Chan of Taiwan 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-4 in their semi-final.

Bartoli has reached her second Asian final in a month after losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova at Bali.