Roger Federer to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 100th final

Earlier, defending champion Federer had seen off David Ferrer 7-5, 6-3 to move into his 100th career final and to within one win of a record sixth title at the tournament.

It will be the third meeting in two weeks between Federer and Tsonga after the Paris Masters final and a group match here, both of which were won by the Swiss.

It was an impressive performance from Tsonga, though, and he will surely fancy his chances of repeating his stunning Wimbledon quarter-final win.

The world No.6, who had lost his only previous match against Berdych in Beijing last month, said: “It’s incredible. Today I was really tight, perhaps for the first time like this in my career. It’s been an amazing week, I will enjoy the final and try to play my best against Roger.”

This was an intriguing clash between two of the ATP Tour’s biggest hitters, both of whom have reached one grand slam final and been tipped for even better.

Tsonga made the first move with a break in the sixth game and, as is so often the case, it came straight after he had saved two break points.

Tsonga has more variety than the Czech and is slightly less prone to mental lapses, and he confidently wrapped up the set.

The Frenchman sensed an opportunity to take the match by the scruff of the neck in the opening game of the second set but this time Berdych managed to fight off two break points. It did seem like a case of when rather than if Tsonga would break through again, and he did so in the seventh game.

Berdych just could not match the 26-year-old’s power, although he rather crumbled with a double fault on break point, but from nowhere he then conjured a first break of his own to level.

Berdych was in trouble again at 5-5 and netted a tame backhand to leave his opponent serving for the match. And this time there was no way back, Tsonga setting up two match points with a brilliant volley off his toes and clinching victory with his seventh ace.

After his win over Spaniard Ferrer, Federer said: “At the start of my career, I didn’t think I was going to reach 100 finals. One thing I can tell you is I won’t retire after my 100th final.

“I’m lucky to be fit and healthy, and to play my 100th final here in London means a lot to me.”

Federer began the tournament as the favourite but only found really top form in Tuesday’s thrashing of Rafael Nadal.

But the Swiss looked slightly tentative in the early stages against Ferrerand was snatching at shots and making a host of unforced errors. He finally broke to go 6-5 up and served out the set with relative ease.

Federer then made the perfect start to the second, his forehand suddenly looking much more secure as he extended his winning streak to four games with a return thumped down the line.

Ferrer just hung on to his serve twice to stay in the match but it was all over when Federer broke again in the final game.