Swiss mogul Roger Federer defeated Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters on Saturday and will play American Mardy Fish in the final.

Fish, 36-ranked in the world, rallied to beat ninth seed and good friend Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1.

"It was a struggle to keep the ball in play. But I played aggressive, and it paid off. I trained hard after Wimbledon and was able to work on a few things. I'm keeping the other guy from dictating, and the hard work has paid off (in Toronto and Cincinnati)," Federer said.

"I've got another chance to win a Masters title here. Things are working out for me. That's something that wasn't happening at the start of the season."

Federer, losing finalist a week ago in Toronto against Andy Murray, is seeking his first trophy since the Australian Open in January. Fish lifted back-to-back honours in July at Newport and Atlanta - where he beat Roddick to end a run of nine losses against his friend from their teenage years.

Federer leads Fish with a 6-1 mark in career, though in their last meeting the American did defeat Federer in 2008 at Indian Wells.