from AFP
10 May 2003

ROME (AFP) – Switzerland’s Roger Federer won through to the final of the 2.45-million-euro Rome Masters Series after defeating Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The number four seed clinched his place in Sunday’s finale after Ferrero, the number two seed, retired with a right shoulder injury when trailing 6-2, 4-2.

Federer will face Felix Mantilla after the unseeded Spaniard ousted two-time Grand Slam winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the day’s other semi-final.

Winner of his third ATP title of the season in Munich last week, Federer expressed sympathy for his opponent, but admitted he was delighted at making the final.
“I’m sorry for Juan Carlos as I could see he was having problems,” he said. “It must be very frustrating for him.”

“But I’m very pleased to be in the final. I’m playing well and my confidence is high. I’m looking forward to it.”

Ferrero surrendered to his injury after losing his service for the third time in the second set. He had already called for medical treatment at the changearound with the score at 3-2.

Ferrero, the winner of the Monte Carlo Masters, said he would not play in Hamburg next week.

“I won’t be in Hamburg. My shoulder is swollen and I need to rest it a little,” said Ferrero. “I felt it when I was 5-2 down in the first set and it got gradually worse as the match went on.”

The top-seeded Spaniard’s injury problems come less than three weeks before the start of the French Open for which he is one of the favourites.

Mantilla, seeking his first ATP title, overcame Russian Kafelnikov 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.