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Federer sets final rematch with Djokovic in BNP Paribas Open

Xinhua, March 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Roger Federer now has a date with defending champion Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's final with 7-5, 6-4 dismissal of No. 6 Milos Raonic.

"After losing 7-6 to him (Djokovic) in the third last year, I couldn't wait to face him on center court again," said Federer, who faced Djokovic in last year's final, but lost in three sets.

The world No. 2 went on to win the first set in 45 minutes. Raonic saved a break point in the fifth game with a 138mph ace, and eventually went on to hold. Federer later broke for a 6-5 lead when Raonic hit a backhand long.

"I think I did very well in the first set, scrambled down a few balls and then I did well to get the early break in the second set," said Federer, who is on a 19-set unbeaten run.

The second seed continued to be untroubled, despite enduring nine aces from the Canadian, as he saved the only break point he faced to clinch the victory in 86 minutes.

The Swiss has a 33-2 career record against players born in the 1990s. His only two defeats came against Raonic in Paris last November and Federico Delbonis in Hamburg in 2013.

Federer is the winningest player at the BNP Paribas Open with four titles and will be playing in the finals for the sixth time. Endi