Spain's Rafael Nadal serves against Spain's David Ferrer at the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, January 1, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    ABU DHABI, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Robin Soderling fought back from a set down to dismiss top-ranked Roger Federer 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 and secure a place in the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championships at the Zayed Sports City on Friday.

    The Swede will face Rafael Nadal, who advanced after he beat his Spanish Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

    Soderling and Federer held serve throughout the opening two sets of their match, each winning a tie-breaker, before Soderling broke the Swiss in the third and seventh games of the third set.

    Today's win over Federer was Soderling's first in 13 games.

Sweden's Robin Soderling plays a shot against Switzerland's Roger Federer at the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi January 1, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I always said the more times I play him, the closer I'll get, and here I am today. So far so good, but it's going to be a long season for sure, hopefully I'll get to play against Roger a few more times," said Soderling.

    "Now when I go out there I feel more confident having beaten all the top guys. I can now believe that I belong up there."

    After losing his first match of the new season Federer praised Soderling's performance.

    "Magnus (Norman), his coach, has been doing a great job with him and I'm sure we will be playing a number of times in the future. It was hard to play him in the very first match of the year, but I had fun," Federer said.

    The winner of the competition will take home a purse of 250,000 U.S. dollars.