Basel, October 28:

Top-seeded Roger Federer beat big-serving Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) to move into the final of the Swiss Indoors on Saturday, and will play Jarkko Nieminen for his second straight title here.

Nieminen advanced to his first final of the year when he beat Marcos Baghdatis 7-6 (4), 6-2. If he wins the final, Federer will make sure of finishing the season as No 1 for the fourth consecutive year.

It is the 11th time Federer has reached final this year with the Swiss winning six of those finals, including three Grand Slams. Federer is now 11-0 in his semi-final matches this year. Nieminen is 0-7 against Federer.

Nieminen saved match points in his first two matches at the tournament before advancing. Nieminen has lost five of six career finals. He is No 29 on the ATP rankings.