Roger Federer moved within two wins of a 100th career singles title with victory over Marton Fucsovics at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The 37-year-old, who is bidding to become only the second man to reach a century of tour-level tournament wins after Jimmy Connors, saw off Fucsovics 7-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals at the Aviation Club.
Federer will now face sixth seed Borna Coric for a place in a 10th final of an event he has won seven times.
Federer, winner of 20 grand slams, found the going tough against Fucsovics and faced two set points against him in the first set tie-break.
The Hungarian showed nerves and netted twice, allowing Federer to recover and take the lead but there was no procession to victory.
Federer broke early in the second set but Fucsovics broke back to level at 4-4.
The next game was briefly interrupted by rain but Federer eventually battled through it to claim what proved to be the crucial break from his fifth break point.
Croatia’s Coric earned his place in the last four by edging out Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6 6-2 7-6.
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the last four with a hard-fought 7-6 6-7 6-1 win over Hubert Hurkacz.
Tsitipas, who won a second ATP Tour title in Provence last week, will face in-form Gael Monfils, recent victor in Rotterdam.
Monfils ensured he will move back into the world’s top 20 next week as he beat Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis 6-1 6-7 6-2.
