Novak Djokovic hammered an off-key Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer put on a masterclass against Tomas Berdych as they set up a dream semi-final at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
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Earlier in the day Serena Williams had blown away Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 in a 20-minute opening set and Djokovic was only marginally less brutal as he annihilated his opponent 6-1 in 22 minutes. “I never thought it was easy”, Federer answered when asked about Djokovic’s recent dominance against him, especially in the Grand Slam tournaments and how he sees himself faring against the Serbian in future tournaments, via the tournament’s official website. But the six-time champion was up to the task, holding to love for a two-sets-to-love lead in under an hour.
Both players held serve for their first three service games of the fourth set after the roof at Rod Laver Arena closed due to inclement weather.
Djokovic produced some of his best tennis to take a two-set lead and then held off a spirited comeback from Federer to close the match out in four sets.
For the first time in his long-running rivalry with Federer, which includes 45 matches and dates back a decade to 2006, he has edged to the front with 23 wins to 22. Tasked with having to stop him Sunday will be either familiar foe and friend Andy Murray or Milos Raonic. I mean, yes, he played good. She continued her ideal streak in seven Australian Open semifinals.I definitely block it out, Williams said in reply to a question about equaling Grafs mark.
Djokovic, at 28, continues to magnify his chances of being included in the conversation as one of the greatest players. Started to play better myself.
World number one Novak Djokovic is into the Australian Open final after defeating Roger Federer on Thursday.
“I’ve played an unbelievable first two sets but that’s what is necessary against Roger”.
Djokovic, however, regained his composure to flick a backhand pass of his own, before drilling a return at Federer’s feet to clinch the break. They are to play their semifinal on Friday.
Djokovic, with 10 major singles titles to his name, won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open past year but was beaten in the French Open final by Stan Wawrinka.
“After one of us won the Australian, you’d say, I guess I’m going for the Grand Slam”.
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Williams hasn’t played a left-hander so far this tournament and said that, combined with Kerber’s quarterfinal win over two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, were making her wary. But Djokovic was a notch above and you could sense it was only a matter of time before he’d get back on top and take it. Sure enough with Federer serving 3-4 that was the moment.
