World number one Roger Federer [Images] blasted past Germany's [Images] Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the Japan [Images] Open on Saturday.

Federer faces 10th seed Tim Henman in Sunday's final after the former British number one beat South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik 6-4, 7-6 in the other semi-final in Tokyo.

Top seed Federer never fully extended himself, the stylish Swiss taking exactly an hour to repel the 14th-seeded Becker with a supremely confident display.

"It was pretty straightforward," Federer told reporters after improving his win-loss record for the year to 76-5. "The feeling's good. My dream was to be in the final.

"The last little bit is a bonus. It's a great opportunity to win maybe my first tournament in Japan."

Federer had struggled to beat 1,078th-ranked Japanese player Takao Suzuki on Friday when he was briefly in danger of suffering the worst defeat by a world number one in ATP Tour history.

But the nine-times Grand Slam singles champion quickly found his rhythm against Becker.

SWIRLING WIND

Federer made light of swirling wind and the roar of helicopters buzzing over centre court as he tore through the first set in 36 minutes.

The second set was even quicker, Federer forcing Becker into a wild forehand to break the German's serve again in the third game of the second set.

Becker, who ushered Andre Agassi [Images] into retirement at last month's U.S. Open, simply had no answer to Federer's bewildering arsenal of shots.

Federer finally put the German out of his misery with a blistering serve on his first match point to move to within one victory of his ninth title of the year.

Henman was helped by a controversial over-rule from the umpire while facing break point at 4-4 in the opening set against ninth seed Lee.

The second set went with serve but Henman's greater experience told in the tiebreak which the Briton took 7-5 to reach his first final since 2004.

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