Federer, Nadal duel in Abu Dhabi final

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Roger Federer rallied from a set down to beat Robin Soderling, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-3, Friday and set up a meeting with Rafael Nadal in the final of the World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi.

The top-ranked Nadal beat Tomas Berdych, 6-4, 6-4, in the other semifinal.

Federer, who lost to the fifth-ranked Swede in the exhibition tournament last year, struggled with his serve in the first set and had to save several break points early on. He then made several unforced errors in the tiebreaker, handing Soderling the lead when he hit a forehand long on set point.

But the No. 2-ranked Swiss took control in the second set, breaking Soderling twice with the help of his powerful forehand. Trailing, 5-3, Soderling double-faulted to give Federer a set point and the Swede then sent a shot that bounced on the net cord and out to even the match.  (AP)