Federer rages his way into semifinals
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA • Roger Federer got cranky at the chair umpire for a technology flaw in his Australian Open quarter- final match, using the rare emotional outburst as motivation.
It helped. The 36- yearold Federer, now the oldest semifinalist in Melbourne in 41 years, beat longtime rival Tomas Berdych 7- 6 ( 1), 6- 3, 6- 4 Wednesday. He will next face a challenge from the next generation, against 21-year-old Hyeon Chung.
Federer’s victory extended his winning streak to 14 in Australian Open quarterfinals and to nine in a rivalry with Berdych that dates to 2004. The 19- time major champion leads that headto-head contest 20- 6.
Federer had to overcome a shaky start, dropping his opening service game and uncharacteristically questioning chair umpire Fergus Murphy because of a technological fault. With Berdych serving for the first set in the ninth game, Federer had challenged a line call.
After a lengthy delay, Murphy called the control room and confirmed the replay graphic couldn’t be displayed on the stadium screen, and the original decision stood. When he added Federer had no challenges remaining for the set, Federer approached the chair and the crowd cheers intensified.
“Yeah, but you can’t steal my challenge,” Federer told Murphy. “Do you feel comfortable with this? You’re OK with it?”
Seven points later, he broke Berdych, then won the tiebreaker.
“I had to get a bit lucky, a bit angry, a bit frustrated maybe at the umpire,” Federer said.
The women’s semifinals were determined when topranked Simona Halep recovered from an early break to win nine straight games in a 6- 3, 6-2 win over No. 6 Karolina Pliskova, and 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber routed U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys. In the other semifinal match, No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki will play 22- year- old Elise Mertens.