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Paris, Jun 9: Roger Federer reached his first French Open final on Friday after Argentine David Nalbandian quit while trailing 3-6 6-4 5-2 in their semi-final.
 
Nalbandian called the trainer for a lengthy consultation early in the third set and, apparently struggling with a stomach problem, informed the umpire that he could not continue after losing serve to trail 5-2.

The Argentine walked back to his chair and said: "I can't play anymore."

Earlier the third seed had led by a set and 3-0 before Federer recovered in some style.

The world number one, who is seeking to complete his collection of grand slam titles by winning the claycourt event for the first time, plays either defending champion Rafael Nadal or Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in Sunday's final.

"It's very tough, we were playing well, we were fighting," said Federer, who lost in last year's semi-finals to Nadal. "He played very well during the first set, I thought I was going to lose. Something needed to change."

Nalbandian's retirement was the ninth such withdrawal from the men's singles on the energy-sapping clay at Roland Garros.