Djokovic, Federer reach final

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Novak Djokovic downed Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3 Saturday night to earn a showdown with Roger Federer in the final of the Rogers Cup.Federer, the world No. 1, took a step toward a third Rogers Cup title with a methodical 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory over Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic in the early semifinal of the $2.45 million Masters Series event.

“Novak’s absolutely a tough player at this moment,” Federer said. “He’s got a good serve and return, and he always makes you work hard.”

Federer reached his seventh final in 10 tournaments this year. The Rogers Cup is his first tournament since taking his fifth straight Wimbledon title on July 8.

“I was very happy with the way I played,” he said. “It was a tough match with a lot of crucial points and a lot of shots played on reaction.”

The 26-year-old will be going for his 50th title against the third-seeded Djokovic, who has lost to the Swiss ace in all of their four previous matches.

Federer has won 16 straight matches at the Rogers Cup, with tournament wins in 2004 and 2006 in Toronto.

The 20-year-old Djokovic did not lose a service game against 21-year-old Nadal, and has lost only once on serve in 40 chances in the tournament.

“This is one of the biggest wins of my career,” Djokovic said after the match.

It was only the second win in seven career meetings with Nadal, but Djokovic has won the last two on hardcourts. Nadal, the 2005 Rogers Cup champion, was playing his first hardcourt tournament since March