It’s an all-Swiss semi-final tomorrow

ROGER Federer beat giant-killer Mischa Zverev to become Melbourne Park’s oldest men’s semi-finalist in nearly 40 years.

The stylish Swiss made light yesterday of the challenge posed by German serve-volleyer Zverev, who stunned top seed Andy Murray in the fourth round to reach a record-extending 41st Grand Slam semi-final.

Federer, 35, won 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 in just 92 minutes to set up a last-four clash with his compatriot Stan Wawrinka, who won a badtempered quarter-final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3.

Federer is the oldest semi-finalist in Australia since Arthur Ashe in 1978, and the oldest at any Grand Slam since Jimmy Connors in the 1991 US Open last four aged 39.

The draw has opened up invitingly for Federer, a four-time winner in Melbourne, and 2014 champion Wawrinka, as well as fellow 30something Rafael Nadal following the sensational early exits of world number one Andy Murray and six-time winner Novak Djokovic.

“I’m happy for Stan that he got this far, but he doesn’t need to go one step further,” Federer joked. “That’s enough.”

Wawrinka, 31, also light-hearted said: “It’s going to be tough to have some fans but I hope some people will cheer for me.”

But he feels ready to emerge from his countryman’s immense shadow and make his own statement in their semi-final showdown.

So often Wawrinka has been pushed into the background by the dazzling achievements of 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer, but he gets one of his rare chances for a prestige victory tomorrow.

“Yeah, for sure now I’m more confident with myself. When I step on the court it doesn’t matter who I play, I know what I have to do if I want to win,” Wawrinka said.

“For sure, against Roger, it’s always special because he’s so good.

“He’s the best player of all time. He has an answer for everything.

“But I have managed to beat him in a Grand Slam, so we’ll see.

“Most important is that I step on the court and I play my best tennis.”

It was a consummate performance from Wawrinka against Tsonga in an at-times feisty encounter, with three service breaks from three break points, 41 winners, 21 of them on the forehand, and just 28 unforced errors.

Among Wawrinka’s three major triumphs is his win over Rafael Nadal in Melbourne three years ago, when he became the first player to defeat the top two seeds en route to a major title since Spaniard Sergei Bruguera won Roland Garros in 1993.

Wawrinka also won the 2015 French Open, beating Federer in the quarters, and last year’s US Open, both times conquering Djokovic. — AFP