Fed aims for 1000th win in Brisbane final

He’s fighting off the stars of the so-called “Millenials” generation but it’s Roger Federer who can become tennis’s millennium man in Brisbane.

The Swiss great will take on Canadian rising star Milos Raonic on Sunday in the Brisbane International final, knowing with a win in the decider he’ll claim the 1000th win of his ATP Tour career.

Only two men, American Jimmy Connors (1253) and Czech great Ivan Lendl (1071), have claimed more than a thousand victories in tour history.

Should Federer maintain the form displayed in victories 998 and 999, it’s almost a certainty that the 33-year-old will pass the milestone.

After taking just 41 minutes to demolish Australia’s James Duckworth in the quarter-finals, Federer turned it on once more against highly rated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday to claim a 6-2 6-2 semi-final win in just 53 minutes.

Since being surprised by world No.153 John Millman in his opening set of the tournament, Federer has claimed six straight sets to race into the final.

The 17-time grand slam champion, who cited his 2003 Wimbledon final victory over Australia’s Mark Philippoussis as the highlight of his 999 wins, said there’s no doubt claiming 1000 wins on tour would be a great achievement.

“I hope it’s tomorrow, clearly,” Federer said.

“It’s a really big number, no doubt about it. Love to get it tomorrow, especially in the finals in an ATP event where most of my wins have come.

“If not tomorrow, I hope it happens at the Australian Open … I don’t know if it’s a goal, but it would definitely be an incredible milestone to reach.”

Sunday’s match will be Federer’s second straight final in Brisbane, after losing last year to Lleyton Hewitt.

It means a victory on Sunday would make it 29 cities around the world where Federer had claimed a title.

“If there’s a new country that’s even extra special in my opinion,” he said.

“Like playing in India recently. New cities are very cool as well.

“People are very knowledgeable about tennis here, and it would be great winning this year.”

Raonic outlasted world No.5 Kei Nishikori in the other semi-final.

The pair didn’t drop a service game in the 151-minute epic, which Raonic won 6-7 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4).

The world No.8 will be aiming to claim the seventh title of his career and knows there’s no secret what element of his game he’ll rely on to beat Federer after reeling off 34 aces against Nishikori.

“I’ve got to serve well,” he said.

“That’s always been a key.”

Raonic has just one win from eight clashes with Federer – finally beating the champion veteran in Paris last year.

“Last few matches (against Federer) I started poorly,” he said.

“I would get broken right in my first service game, which is not the way to really go about things, especially against a top player and especially against Roger.

“So I got to keep that pressure on him and then sort of step up when I can create my opportunities.”

FED EXPRESS ON MILLENIUM TRACK – Most wins on the ATP Tour

1253 – Jimmy Connors (USA)

1071 – Ivan Lendl (CZE)

999 – Roger Federer (SUI)

929 – Guillermo Vilas (ARG)

875 – John McEnroe (USA)

870 – Andre Agassi (USA)

801 – Stefan Edberg (SWE)

779 – Ilie Nastase (ROU)

762 – Pete Sampras (USA)

713 – Boris Becker (GER)

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