Federer's pulsating win keeps dream alive

By Pritha Sarkar

PARIS (Reuters) - Tennis fans demanded it and Roger Federer obliged -- but only just -- as the Swiss rode a wave of emotional support Friday to move within one win of an elusive French Open crown.

Federer kept the 15,000 crowd on the edge of their seats for three hours 29 minutes before they exploded into a roar of deafening cheers when his forehand winner finally subdued Argentine warrior Juan Martin del Potro 3-6 7-6 2-6 6-1 6-4.

Just in case the message had not already been hammered home, as Federer walked off court, a male voice boomed out from the crowd: "Roger you have got to win on Sunday! Please!"

Standing in Federer's path to glory, and a record-equalling 14th grand slam title, will be 23rd seed Robin Soderling.

"I can't remember a five set match that I've played that was so moving," second seed Federer told reporters after matching Ivan Lendl's record of reaching 19 major finals.

"It feels great coming through tough matches like this. It's more emotional. It's more satisfaction... it's this incredible feeling to win this match."

Swedish giant-killer Soderling, having already knocked out four-time champion Rafael Nadal and 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko, sank to his knees when he outlasted Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 7-5 5-7 4-6 6-4 to reach his first grand slam final.

If he dares to reproduce the same form Sunday, Soderling will turn out to be the ultimate villain.