Tennis: Roger Federer Reaches Semi-finals
January 28th 2009 12:09
Roger Federer has demolished Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 6-0 6-0 to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and move within two wins of a record-equalling 14th grand slam title.
Three-time Australian Open champion Federer outplayed the world No 6 to make his 19th consecutive Major semi-final, where he will meet Andy Roddick.
"I didn't expect a result like this, this is not usual," Federer said.
"I don't think Juan Martin was at his very best tonight, otherwise it would have been much closer."
Federer was taken to five sets by Tomas Berdych in the previous round but he was immediately comfortable against del Potro, taking a break to lead the first set 3-1 and then the stanza by wrong-footing the towering Argentine on the baseline.
The Swiss was firing and he dropped a sharply spinning backhand and a classy half-volley for the first break in the second bracket, then faked a drop shot for set points which he converted with an ace.
The exhibition display turned embarrassing as Federer claimed a 4-0 lead in the third set, for the loss of just two points, and the Swiss closed out the match in just one hour and 20 minutes.
"When all of a sudden it clicks, it's a nice feeling," Federer said.
"I tried out a few things and they all seemed to work. He goes down and I go up the difference is huge sometimes."
Del Potro was unbeaten this year after winning the ATP Tour Heineken Open in Auckland, and he was appearing in his second successive grand slam quarter-final.
The Argentine was the youngest player to reach the Australian Open last eight since Richard Krajicek in 1992.
Agence France-Presse
Three-time Australian Open champion Federer outplayed the world No 6 to make his 19th consecutive Major semi-final, where he will meet Andy Roddick.
"I didn't expect a result like this, this is not usual," Federer said.
"I don't think Juan Martin was at his very best tonight, otherwise it would have been much closer."
Federer was taken to five sets by Tomas Berdych in the previous round but he was immediately comfortable against del Potro, taking a break to lead the first set 3-1 and then the stanza by wrong-footing the towering Argentine on the baseline.
The Swiss was firing and he dropped a sharply spinning backhand and a classy half-volley for the first break in the second bracket, then faked a drop shot for set points which he converted with an ace.
Roger Federer
The exhibition display turned embarrassing as Federer claimed a 4-0 lead in the third set, for the loss of just two points, and the Swiss closed out the match in just one hour and 20 minutes.
"When all of a sudden it clicks, it's a nice feeling," Federer said.
"I tried out a few things and they all seemed to work. He goes down and I go up the difference is huge sometimes."
Del Potro was unbeaten this year after winning the ATP Tour Heineken Open in Auckland, and he was appearing in his second successive grand slam quarter-final.
The Argentine was the youngest player to reach the Australian Open last eight since Richard Krajicek in 1992.
Agence France-Presse
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