“I’m just very, very pleased that I was able to perform the way I did from the very beginning till the end”.
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“I have self-confidence as well, that doesn’t fade away very quickly”, Federer said. Kerber said Graf “is still in shape and she is hitting very hard and moving still like she was moving a few years ago”.
Kerber stands between Williams and a 22nd grand slam singles title, which would allow the American to match the record of the German’s compatriot, childhood hero and mentor Steffi Graf.
It is not often that a 17-times grand slam champion is left humiliated but at break point down midway through the third set, Roger Federer must have wondered how much worse things could get in his Australian Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic.
Storming to a two-set lead within an hour, Djokovic appeared destined to complete a stinging humiliation but the net-rushing Federer responded brilliantly in the third as a partisan crowd roared him on at a flood-lit Rod Laver Arena.
It took 10 years and 45 matches, but Djokovic finally surpassed his rival, taking a 23-22 lead in the all-time series after Thursday’s win.
“Definitely I’ve played an unbelievable first two sets but that’s what is necessary against Roger”, Djokovic said courtside after setting up his sixth final at Melbourne Park against either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic.
That brought Federer’s 34-year-old legs back to life and he sprinted around to win the set after Djokovic smacked a forehand long.
“But I think against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I’ve played against him throughout my career”.
Two breaks of serve added extra humiliation as Djokovic was irresistible, making just two unforced errors to Federer’s 12 and winning 24 points to Federer’s 11.
He received a standing ovation upon departing Rod Laver Arena, and assured local fans he would be back looking for his fifth Australian Open crown next year.
At 15-30 and under pressure on serve, Federer rushed to the net to prod a drop-shot into the corner which Djokovic retrieved with a brilliant lob.
Before the match, much attention had focused on the first set, with Federer never having beaten Djokovic in a best-of-five match having dropped the opener.
Djokovic held his first service game at love and broke the 17-time Grand Slam champion in the second.
Federer won the toss and opted to receive, a questionable decision among pundits that backfired early as Djokovic, who started the match with an ace, broke in the second game. The crowd broke into rapturous applause after he won the point of the match, and possibly the tournament, with a sublime backhand passing shot on the run in the fourth set.
The first two sets lasted a quick 54 minutes.
The top seed struggled in his fourth-round win over Frenchman Gilles Simon, but was at his best in the 6-3 6-2 6-4 quarter-final win against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Soares will partner Jamie Murray in Saturday’s men’s doubles final against Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek. He broke again in the fifth game and made it two sets to love with less than an hour gone. “I can not give you an answer on that”, Djokovic said after Thursday’s match.
Williams remains unbeaten in nine matches against Radwanska, and is an overwhelming favorite going into the final against the victor of Thursday’s later match between No. 7-seeded Angelique Kerber and No. 47-ranked Johanna Konta, the first British woman since 1983 to reach a major semifinal. “You can’t underestimate Kerber”, Williams said. Williams, who will be seeking her seventh Australian title and 22nd major, beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-4 in the earlier semifinal. She continued her ideal streak in seven Australian Open semifinals.
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Ferrer, aiming for his third semi-final in Melbourne, fought back in the second, charging out to a 3-0 lead.
