Federer extends winning run to five-year high in Montreal
The Swiss clocked up his 16th straight victory at the Rogers Cup, reaching the final against Alexander Zverev and closing in on second seeding at the US.
Roger Federer continues to roll back the years in 2017 and put in an another vintage performance on Saturday in Montreal, deploying thundering serves and deft backhands to see off unseeded Robin Haase to book a place in the final.
Federer, who celebrated his 36th birthday on August 8, blasted nine aces and lost just nine points on serve as he extended his match win streak to 16 -- his longest in five years.
He raised his game to another level when it mattered most, beating Netherlands Robin Haase 6-3, 7-6 in just 75 minutes.
"I'm very excited to be back in the finals," Federer said. "A bit surprising, to be quite honest, because I hadn't practiced much."
Federer has taken more time off this year than usual. He skipped the clay-court season from April to mid-June.
"I came from vacation, did some fitness, saw how I was feeling and said, 'You know what, I practiced so much the last year, let's go play some matches.'
"It's a big bonus right now and I hope I can play as free as I have so far in the finals tomorrow."
Rising star Zverev awaits Federer in the final
Second seeded Federer will clash on Sunday with German Alexander Zverev who ended the Cinderella run of 18-year old Canadian Denis Shapovalov with a 6-4, 7-5 win in the other semi-final.
Federer is undergoing a resurgence this season after it appeared to many he might be slowing down as he transitions through his mid-30s.
"Confidence can get you a long way, and if you're feeling fine physically and you are ready to fight mentally you have a lot of things in the bag," said Federer, who would earn the second seed at the upcoming US Open if he wins in Montreal.
Federer: "Sometimes practice is overrated"
"And then the only thing that maybe is missing is practice, but sometimes practice is overrated. It's all about the matches at some stage.
"I'm happy I'm playing as well as I am this year on the match courts. At the end that's what matters because I spent hours and hours on the practice courts in the last year."
The 19-time Grand Slam winner Federer is seeking his 27th Masters 1000 title and his third Canadian Masters crown after wins in 2004 and 2006.