Roger Federer forgets he is on match point as he reaches Halle final

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/14/roger-federer-forgets-match-point-halle

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Roger Federer has won a record 17 grand slam titles and played in more than 1,000 tour matches but even a champion of his standing can forget when he is on match point – as he showed at the Gerry Weber Open on Saturday.

With Federer on the verge of defeating Kei Nishikori to reach his ninth final at the Halle grasscourt tournament, the world No4 suffered a moment of memory loss when his Japanese opponent clipped a backhand into the net on match point.

Federer quickly retreated to the baseline, unaware of his 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) triumph, while a confused Nishikori approached the net to shake hands, much to the amusement of the German crowd.

“It was the first time in my career in over a thousand matches,” a bemused Federer said of his faux pas after he set up a final with Colombia’s Alejandro Falla.

Falla, the world No69, overcame the home favourite Philipp Kohlschreiber 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.