SHANGHAI: Roger Federer avenged a tough loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final by beating the top-ranked Serb 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday.

The Swiss star relentlessly charged the net and volleyed with precision, winning 20 of his 35 forays. He also served strongly, firing four aces in a row to win one game in the first set and fighting off the only break point he faced.

Federer was almost out of the tournament in the opening round, saving five match points before beating Leonardo Mayer in a dramatic three-setter.

Now he's into the final with a chance to win his first title in Shanghai – and fourth of the year – against Frenchman Gilles Simon on Sunday.