It's Federer vs Soderling for French title

Paris:

Sentimental favorite Roger Federer twice came from behind in the French Open semi-finals on Friday to beat big-serving Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 3-6, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Playing in his fourth consecutive Roland Garros final, Federer will try for his 14th major title to match Pete Sampras' record. He will also be trying to complete a career Grand Slam.

Federer's opponent on Sunday will be No. 23-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden, who extended his improbable Roland Garros run by beating No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez in another seesaw semifinal, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.

With nemesis Rafael Nadal eliminated in the fourth round, Federer faces a less daunting path to that elusive Roland Garros title. He's 9-0 against Soderling.

But then Federer had swept his previous five matches and 12 sets against del Potro. The tall Argentine rose to the occasion in his first major semifinal and kept on the offensive for much of the match, but began to weary in the fourth set.

Federer broke for the first time 2 1/2 hours into the match to lead 3-1. Del Potro lost his next two service games as well, allowing Federer to sweep seven games in a row and finally take the lead.

By then, Federer was in top form, gliding across the clay that has vexed him in the past. He won a frantic rally by lunging to slice a forehand into the open court for a 3-1 lead in the fifth set. There were more highlight-reel shots down the stretch, and he closed out the victory with forehand winners on back-to-back points.

In the all-Russian women's final on Saturday, top-ranked Dinara Safina will try for her first Grand Slam title against Svetlana Kuznetsova.