Roger Federer blasted critics who say he’s too old and insisted he was confident of beating Novak Djokovic again at a Grand Slam after his four-set defeat in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday.
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Djokovic’s message was clear from the start against Federer: The 10-time major champion won 12 of the first 14 points en route to a two-set lead in just 54 minutes.
With the win, Djokovic edged ahead of Federer for the first time in their head-to-head rivalry by winning 23 of their 45 career matches.
The Serb will face the victor of Friday night’s semi-final between Andy Murray and Milos Raonic as he bids to win his 11th Grand Slam championship.
The No. 3-ranked Federer saved a break point in the first game and held serve, as the crowd roared trying to pull the Swiss star back into the match. “But it doesn’t scare me when I go into a big match against any player who’s in their prime right now”. So from that standpoint I’m not anxious going into long rallies.
Six years Djokovic’s senior, Federer simply may not have the dynamism to oust his rival over five sets – a theory he disagrees with.
“When I play Roger it’s something that is expected, in a way, considering his career and his greatness on and off the court”, Djokovic said.
Murray has made the hard courts of Australia his home since he went hell for leather with then world number two Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller in 2007.
“In the end of the day you are battling yourself the most”, Djokovic said of his turnaround.
Serena Williams has won the second set of the Australian Open women’s singles final 6-3 to level her match against Angelique Kerber at one set each.
Based on records alone, Novak Djokovic would appear to be the favorite in the Australian Open final against Andy Murray.
The first set was over in 22 minutes. “It’s tough when it’s from the start because obviously you got to try to stop the bleeding at some point”.
Although they won’t be official until Monday, the projected rankings show Williams in first, Kerber in second and Simona Halep, the former No. 2 who lost in the first round at Melbourne Park, drop to third.
Djokovic blew Federer away during two stunning opening sets on Rod Laver Arena and while the 34-year-old recovered to snatch the third, it proved only a consolation as the Serb won a pulsating contest 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3.
Dylan Alcott and Jiske Griffioen claimed finals wins, as did Brit Gordon Reid.
A few times it’s happened in the Australian Open semifinals. “If I don’t win on Saturday, I’ll still be one off”. Konta was the first British woman since 1983 to reach the semifinals at a major tournament.
Andy Murray was in the stands at Rod Laver Arena watching the match, which didn’t finish until 1 a.m. Sunday.
“There was just no mistake”, said fourth seed Radwanska. I knew he would be aggressive.
“I’ve seen Novak play this well before”, he said. No. 5 Maria Sharapova, the 2015 finalist who lost to Williams in the quarterfinals this year, moves to sixth, followed by Flavia Pennetta, Carla Suarez Navarro, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova.
Williams opened by holding her serve at love, but Kerber held and then broke to take a 2-1 lead.
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“I m just very, very pleased that I was able to perform the way I did from the very beginning till the end”.
