BASEL, Switzerland – Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina set up a potential Swiss Indoors title rematch against Roger Federer by beating Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
The top-seeded del Potro came back strongly after letting the second set slip away. He cruised past the 65th-ranked Frenchman in the third set.
"I made a lot of mistakes in the end of the second set," the fifth-ranked del Potro said. "He was there taking chances. He has nothing to lose in this match."
Federer, who lost to del Potro in the 2012 final, played 40th-ranked Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the second semifinal.
A five-time champion in his hometown event, Federer is seeking just his second title this season. He last played a final in June, winning the grass-court event at Halle, Germany.
"When you are close to playing Federer in the final, it is like some extra pressure for me," said del Potro, who has won three hard-court titles this season. "I would like to play him in the final because, for me, it is going to be more interesting."
Del Potro broke Roger-Vasselin's serve in the opening set. When Roger-Vasselin evened it 3-3, del Potro won eight straight points and served out the set with a sliced backhand winner down the line.
Del Potro, who got a nosebleed that required an eight-minute medical timeout, appeared to be cruising when he broke to lead 4-3 in the second set.
However, Roger-Vasselin reeled off three quick games and clinched the set when del Potro mistimed a topspin forehand and sent the ball looping high into the seats.
Del Potro, who had three straight-sets victories to reach the semifinals, took a 4-0 lead in the third and converted his first match point.
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