Novak Djokovic clinched his first title since January with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils.
Djokovic, who should meet Federer in Saturday's final, has been less worried by the reputation of the sport's greatest legend than by his own.
With defending champion and top-ranked Novak Djokovic having pulled out of the event, his brother Marko lost in the first round to Filippo Volandri on Monday.