Federer just like the player of old
SWISS GENIUS CRUSHES GIANT-KILLER ZVEREV Wawrinka now awaits in Melbourne semifinal showdown.
Roger Federer was just one step away from his first Grand Slam final in 18 months on Tuesday after he demolished giant-killer Mischa Zverev to set up an Australian Open semifinal with Stan Wawrinka.
Federer, 35 and considered past his prime after an injury-ruined 2016, rolled back the years with a masterful 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 win in just 92 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
The four-time champion will next take on his Swiss Davis Cup team-mate and world No 4 Wawrinka in what promises to be an enthralling semifinal showdown. Wawrinka beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3 to reach his eighth career Grand Slam semifinal.
Federer has now won five matches in his comeback from a six-month injury break, with hopes rising of a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title.
“I felt I was always going to be dangerous on any given day in a match situation. But obviously as the tournament would progress, maybe I would fade away with energy,” Federer said.
“I think now that I’m in the semis, feeling as good as I am, playing as good as I am, that’s a huge surprise to me.
“If someone had told me I’d play in the semis against Stan, never would I have called that one for me. For Stan, yes, but not for me.”
It will be the Swiss legend’s record 13th Australian semifinal appearance and 41st Grand Slam semifinal.
It was a dominant performance from Federer, hitting 65 winners to just 13 unforced errors and breaking left-hander serve six times.
Wawrinka said he is ready to emerge from Federer’s shadow and make his own statement in their semifinal 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 Zverev’s 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 play my best tennis.” – AFP