Federer to face Isner, Pliskova roars past Halep into Miami final

Roger Federer cruised into his fifth Miami Open final with an impressive 6-2 6-4 victory against Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov on Friday.

Federer was dominant in service and broke the 19-year-old three times to set up a final with American John Isner, who beat 18-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(3) 7-6(4).

"I enjoyed it. I think I played very well. I had to," Federer told reporters.

"Because I think when you let Denis play, he's got some serious power, and he gets rhythm going. He can really put you in uncomfortable situations.

"So I think I did well, and I'm very happy how I played."

Federer took control of his semi-final early, breaking Shapovalov in the third game as his young opponent shanked a backhand.

The Swiss, who earlier this month in Dubai, broke again in the third game of the second set and served his way into the final against defending champion Isner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament this year.

Isner, however, had to battle back in both sets against the 18-year-old Canadian, who led 5-3 in each set but was unable to seal the win.

John Isner ends Felix Auger-Aliassime's run to set up a Miami Open final with Roger Federer. /VCG Photo

"For sure (it was) nerves," said Auger-Aliassime, the youngest men's semi-finalist in the tournament's 35-year history. "It's like I caught a virus or something. I don't know. I couldn't put a second serve anymore.

"Even the first serve, if you put it in, you don't have to hit the second serve. That's just very tough to swallow."

Auger-Aliassime had appeared unbothered by being on the big stage against the crowd favorite playing attacking, aggressive tennis that rewarded him with the early break in each set.

Yet serving for the set, the Canadian's inexperience and nerves were exposed when he produced three of his seven double faults and opened the door for the 33-year-old American who went on to take the first tiebreak 7-3.

Auger-Aliassime regrouped and was on the attack again in the second, grabbing the early break to nose in front 4-2.

Again serving for the set at 5-3, he let Isner back in the contest as the American got back on serve with the help of yet another Auger-Aliassime double fault.

While Auger-Aliassime was misfiring, Isner's serve was booming, as he blasted 21 aces past his opponent.

"I think it (experience) may have helped a little bit," said Isner.

"But you see a lot of times where someone can have all the experience in the world or some teams can have all the experience in the world and they don't come through against an inexperienced opponent.

"Maybe he was a little bit fatigued because he came through qualifying. So could have been a little bit of inexperience and maybe a little bit of fatigue, also."

Simona Halep missed the chance to return to world number one as a devastating display from Karolina Pliskova sealed the Czech's passage into the Miami Open WTA final 7-5, 6-1.

Former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova credits steady improvements with a win over Simona Halep to reach the biggest final since the 2016 U.S. Open. /VCG Photo

Romania's Halep would have reclaimed the top spot in women's tennis if she had reached Saturday's showpiece following the current number one andPetra Kvitovafalling to Ashleigh Barty in the last eight.

But Pliskova, the world number seven, had other ideas, rattling off an incredible nine games in a row to blitz Halep and set up an intriguing battle with Australian Barty – a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Estonian Anett Kontaveit.

"It wasn't easy waiting for so long but I managed to stay aggressive," said Pliskova, who hit 29 winners to Halep's 18 in the match that finished after 1 a.m. thanks to a series of rain delays. "Ashleigh is a good player, but I am excited for the final.

The South Florida weather played havoc with Thursday's schedule at Hard Rock Stadium, no more so than when the rains returned with Pliskova on the brink of a brilliant win.

The play was initially halted at 3-3 in the first.

When they resumed, Halep edged ahead 5-3 before Pliskova roared back, taking the first set and a 5-0 lead in the second before rain forced them from the court again.

Halep, who recovered from 1-5 down in the second set in her quarter-final match against Wang Qiang, held serve upon the restart.

But in the very next game, Pliskova served out to ruin Halep's hope of reclaiming the number one ranking she lost when Japan's Osaka won the Australian Open earlier this year.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)