One of the great tennis rivalries resumes at the Australian Open on Thursday, once again posing the question whether ageing Roger Federer still has it in him to master Novak Djokovic.
Advertisement
The victory ensures Djokovic and Federer will meet for the 45th time in their careers, with the current head-to-head firmly in the balance at 22 wins each.
In the other quarter-finals to be played on Wednesday, 14th seed Victoria Azarenka takes on German Angelique Kerber while Britain’s Johanna Konta faces Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang.
“I think he’s still on a pretty high level, playing great tennis”. The 34-year-old American has won all eight matches against Pole Radwanska but said she was taking nothing for granted as she continues her bid for a 22nd grand slam title.
The top seed overcame Nishikori in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, while Federer was in top form earlier to quell the threat of sixth seed Tomas Berdych 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4.
For a third Grand Slam in a succession, Roger Federer’s path to Grand Slam number 18 will have to go through the best player in the world. Up next for her is fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat No. 10 Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3 to reach her fifth Grand Slam semifinal. Federer has a way of exerting early control that’s not quite visible on the scoreboard – and Berdych’s trouble ending games quickly on his serve played into the sense that a Federer win was only a matter of time.
Djokovic came out on top when the pair played in last year’s finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and the suspicion remains that the Serbian, six years Federer’s junior, holds the physical advantage over five sets.
“He started playing much better”.
The defending champion completed a ruthless 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over the Japanese player to secure his first meeting with long-term rival Federer this year.
Instead of heading to the practice courts to re-tune his game, the world number one put his feet up to clear his mind.
Federer had been beaten by Berdych in their past two meetings at Grand Slams, but had won their past four matches.
Williams attacked Sharapova’s strength, targeting the five-time Grand Slam winner’s improving serve. Maria Sharapova would surely have been hoping that Serena would be looking towards retiring soon, so that she could try to get her hands on a few more titles before her own career comes to an end.
“I think I played a good match – aggressive, had some variety in there, it was quick conditions so I’m happy I came through this one”, he said. “She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players”, she said. I couldn’t make him work hard today.
Coming off a scratchy performance in the fourth round where he hit 100 unforced errors in his five-set win against Gilles Simon, Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm on serve.
“It would mean a lot to me, no doubt about it”, Federer said Tuesday when asked about the significance of winning one more major in the era of Djokovic.
Advertisement
Despite not having captured the Norman Brooks trophy since 2010, Federer will take vast confidence into his 12th Open semi-final in 13 years.
