Top-ranked Roger Federer cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 win over Benjamin Becker on Saturday to advance to his first Japan Open final.

Federer barely broke a sweat in Saturday's match and was never seriously challenged by the 14th-seeded German, who beat Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open last month to send the eight-time Grand Slam winner into retirement.

Federer will meet Britain's Tim Henman in Sunday's final at Ariake Colosseum. Henman, who is chasing his first title this year, posted a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over ninth-seeded Lee Hyung-taik of South Korea.

Federer broke Becker in the first set to go up 2-0 and the first of eight aces gave the Swiss star a commanding 3-0 lead.

``I didn't get a break behind,'' said Federer. ``Once I got the break I was in control and then just tried to get a lot of first serves in. I didn't make any mistakes on my serve and that was pretty much what it came down to.''

Federer dominated Becker in every aspect of the game, utilizing pinpoint groundstrokes to all corners of the court before closing out the win in an hour to improve to 48-2 on hard courts.

Federer, making his first appearance in Japan, was pushed to the limit against Takao Suzuki a day earlier before beating the Japanese wild card 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3).

Federer also struggled in a second-round match against qualifier Viktor Troicki but brushed aside suggestions he is in less than peak form.

``I'm happy with the level of my play throughout the week,'' said Federer. ``Some people might think I'm struggling, but I don't think so and am happy to be in the final.''

Federer said he was looking forward to playing Henman.

``That will be fun,'' said Federer. ``He's a good friend of mine. I think playing Henman will be a little bit more exciting for myself.''

Rain played havoc with the schedule prior to Saturday's matches, which were played in brilliant sunshine for the first time all week.

In the women's singles semifinals, top-seeded Marion Bartoli of France trounced countrywoman Camille Pin 6-0, 6-1 to set up a finals matchup with Japan's Aiko Nakamura, who defeated Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-4.