But Federer, who lost just eight games in his first two matches, rose to the occasion, levelling at a set each with two service breaks. Juan Martin del Potro struggled to dominate Roberto Bautista Agut on his way to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win as the giant Argentine reached his third successive tour semi-final. Del Potro, the fourth seed, is fighting for a place in the eight-man ATP Finals in London in just over a fortnight. A third Basel title at the weekend at an event where Federer is looking for his eighth home trophy would send the 29-year-old Del Potro into the eighth and final position for the London showpiece. "I survived, I'm still standing," Del Potro joked.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 27, 2017 21:45 UTC