Australian Open: Federer sees off Berdych to reach 12th semi in 13 yrs
Roger Federer saw off Tomas Berdych with a clinical straight-sets win on Tuesday to reach his 12th Australian Open semi-final in 13 years.
The Swiss 17-time Grand Slam champion was far too strong for the Czech sixth seed, winning 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 in two hours, 16 minutes. He will now face either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Japan’s Kei Nishikori in Thursday’s semi-final.
Federer has now reached his 39th Grand Slam semi-final overall as he chases his fifth Australian Open title, at the age of 34.
The world number three extended his career record to 16-6 over the big-serving Czech and denied Berdych a third straight semi-final appearance in Melbourne. It was a convincing display from Federer, who broke Berdych’s serve five times and dropped his own twice in storming to victory watched by tennis legend Rod Laver on Rod Laver Arena.
“Tomas has caused me a lot of problems over the years and it’s a pleasure playing against him,” Federer said.
“He’s one of the guys that makes you play better, he’s beaten me on some of the biggest courts around the world.
“I played a good match, I was aggressive, had some variety in there and it was quick conditions in the day session. I was very happy I was able to play this way.”
Both players exchanged early service breaks and Berdych fought off a set point at 5-4 before the opening set went to a tiebreaker. Federer dominated the tiebreak with a couple of aces and a beautiful backhand winner to have the Czech under pressure before taking the set in an hour.
Federer went straight after Berdych in the second set, breaking serve in the opening game and then again for 5-2 with Berdych running about the court in vain.
The Swiss great got to two set points in his next service game and went two sets up with a forehand put-away to the open court.
Again both players exchanged service breaks in the final set and Federer fought off two break points at 3-2 before breaking Berdych at 4-4, and serving it out on his second match point with a smash set up by a wide serve.
Federer is 22-22 with Djokovic and leads Nishikori 4-2 in their previous meetings.
After almost three years out of action, Yuki Bhambri returns targeting Slams
Numero Uno Novak Djokovic eyes new high
Djokovic breaks Federer's record for most weeks as ATP No. 1, sets new targets
- Djokovic's ascent represented the first time in nearly 7 1/2 years that a man other than Federer or Nadal was No. 1.
Djokovic asked to pick his greatest rival between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
'I was down': Federer had hard time before 2nd knee surgery
Coco Gauff saves 2 match points in 1st-round win at Dubai
Schwartzman sets all-Argentine final in Buenos Aires
- The Buenos Aires native will face countryman Francisco Cerundolo as he seeks his first ATP Tour title on home soil. Into his third final in Argentina, Schwartzman will aim to improve on previous runner-up finishes at Buenos Aires in 2019 and Cordoba in 2020.
Injured Azarenka withdraws from Qatar Open semis, Muguruza into final
Paire spits on court, tanks and crashes out of Argentina Open
Sumit Nagal registers biggest win of career, beats world No.22
- The 23-year-old Indian earned the biggest victory of his career thus far, defeating world No. 22 and second seed Chilean Cristian Garin 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the ATP 250 Argentina Open.
Tsitsipas beats Hurkacz to reach Rotterdam quarters
- Tsitsipas will next face Russian player Karen Khachanov, who spent Thursday playing doubles after beating Cameron Norrie in the second round Wednesday.
Top seeds Svitolina and Pliskova upset at Qatar Open
Halep pulls out of Dubai Tennis Championships with back issue
Sania ousted from Qatar Total Open
