Federer Wins Epic To Reach Olympic Final

staff
August 03, 2012 10:07 AM

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Switzerland's Federer returns to Argentina's del Potro in their men's singles tennis semi-final match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the London 2012 Olympic Games REUTERS/STEFAN WERMUTH

Roger Federer is one victory away from filling the last space in his creaking trophy cabinet after beating Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in a four hour 25 minute epic to reach the Olympic men's singles final at Wimbledon Friday.

The 30-year-old Swiss, who added a 17th grand slam title to his collection last month on the same Centre Court, survived a record-breaking scrap to win 3-6 7-6 19-17 in the longest men's three-set match played in the professional era.

Federer, who won doubles gold in Beijing but had never previously reached an Olympics singles final, will face either world number two Novak Djokovic from Serbia or Britain's Andy Murray, who he beat in the Wimbledon final, on Sunday.

They play their semi-final later.

Reuters