Federer, the reigning champion in Rotterdam, was already broken in his opening game, which proved to be a sign for a difficult match. In the second set Frenchman Benneteau placed a decisive break on 6-5 to secure victory. Federer, currently number two of the world ranking, won the ATP tournament in Rotterdam in 2005 and 2012.

　　"I am glad I could finish it this way," Benneteau reacted. " This is a dream. Probably my best win ever."

　　In the semi-finals on Saturday Benneteau, ranked 39th on the ATP World Ranking, will meet the winner of the match between Slovakian Martin Klizan and Frenchman Gilles Simon. The other semi- final will be between Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and Argentinean Juan Martin Del Potro, who lost the final to Federer last year.