Federer Eases Into Last Four At Open

Against Seppi Djokovic looked ill at ease, and even threw his racket after missing a few easy forehands.

On Tuesday, several of his service games lasted around a minute, with Berdych powerless against Federer’s pinpoint delivery.

Russia’s Sharapova took three sets to see off unseeded American Lauren Davis, dominating the end of the match to win 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-0.

Williams has a stellar track record at Melbourne Park, each of the six previous times she has won a quarterfinal she’s gone on to snare the Australian Open title. Nevertheless, Djokovic “weathered the storm” with a series of laser-guided cross-court backhands that time and again threatened to floor his opponent.

After the win, he said: “That was the goal, to decrease the unforced errors ratio”.

“He (Simon) plays every match like that”.

“I was like: ‘Okay, I’ll try that'”. It was important to keep the momentum going, keep staying aggressive and trying to get the match done in three. I expected that. I was solid. I mean, yes, he played good.

The secret to his improvement?

“I’ve had previously these situations before. He’s beaten me on the biggest courts around the world”.

“I told them after all these years, I still go out and train, trying to improve”, Federer said. “But I couldn’t play good tennis today”. Who knows? If not physical, also mental.

Federer will meet the victor of the match between Kei Nishikori and top-seeded Novak Djokovic for the right to play in the first Grand Slam final of 2016.

Federer, who is looking to add to his record 17 Grand Slam titles at the age of 34, said Berdych would gain confidence from coming through his five-set fourth-round match with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. His only other win came against a tired Djokovic in Basel 2011, a match which announced himself to the world. I can beat all the guys on tour. Of course, I’ve been through those moments.

They don’t come much tougher than Djokovic now.

The Serb’s longest Grand Slam streak stands at 27, which took in the titles at 2011 Wimbledon, the 2011 US Open and the 2012 Australian Open, and a runner-up finish at 2012 Roland Garros.

Roger Federer made short work of sixth seed Tomas Berdych, winning in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 while Djokovic was equally successful against seventh seed Kei Nishikori, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

It’s more before a looming semi-final with Novak Djokovic that the third seed will be searching for answers after falling to his Serbian nemesis in three grand slam finals in the past 18 months. I was very impressed how he played against Nick (Kyrgios). He makes you miss.

“This tournament is so good, because of everything that comes with it”, he said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to deliver”.