Roger Federer pleasing hometown fans in ATP tennis event in Basel

November 6, 10:10 PMBaltimore Tennis ExaminerMike Milazzo

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A street in Roger Federer's hometown of Basel.

Basel, Switzerland

November 6, 2009-Roger Federer is getting closer to retaining his crown at his hometown tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland.Federer defeated Russian Evgeny Korolev 6-3, 6-2 in his quarter-final. Next up is Marco Chiudinelli, another native of Basil.

See ATP Basel semi-finalists in slide show.

Chiudinelli beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 6-3, 6-7 just over an hour. The winner of this all Swiss semi-final will face the survivor of the Novak Djokovic and Radek Stepanek match-up.

This tournament is the first main draw appearance for Federer since his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro at the U.S.Open in September. Besides winning his hometown event for four straight times,Federer would also improve his chances of finishing the year at number one.

A victory in Basel would almost lock up the top spot for Federer regardless of his results at the year end finale in London at the Barclays ATP championships later in November.

Roger Federer puts an 18-match win streak in Basel on the line Saturday against old school friend Chiudinelli. The winner of the ATP tournament will take home $430,000 dollars.