Roger Federer beats Florian Mayer to reach semis in Stuttgart

Roger Federer turned on the style to win 10 of the last 11 points in a 7-6(2), 7-6(1) defeat of Germany’s Florian Mayer and reach the semi-finals of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart on Friday.

World number 226 Mayer had three set points in the second set when Federer served at 5-6 but the Swiss 17-times grand slam champion found another gear to finish the job in straight sets.

“Two matches in a row, it’s beautiful right now,” Federer, who pulled out of the French Open with a back injury, said of his grasscourt buildup ahead of this month’s Wimbledon.