Djokovic, Federer Set Up Australian Open Semifinal Clash

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both won their respective quarterfinal matchups in straight sets on Tuesday to reach the Australian Open semifinals, setting up the 45th meeting between these two all-time greats.

Federer was up first and he took on the sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, and it was Berdych, the two-time semifinalist in Melbourne, who came through with the first break for a 2-1 lead.

But the third-seeded Swiss responded right away, breaking Berdych in his ensuing service game, and the set would remain on serve into a tiebreak. Once again it was Berdych who jumped ahead with a mini-break and a 3-1 lead, but a beautiful backhand winner down the line from Federer trimmed the lead to 2-3, and the four-time champion would go on to win the breaker 7-4 to take the opening set.

He carried that momentum into the second set, converting on both of his break point opportunities and hitting 16 winners to just seven unforced errors, taking the second frame 6-2 in 34 minutes.

After trading breaks in the third set, Federer would secure one more for a 5-4 lead, and consolidating it with a hold to wrap up the match 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4.

“I think the first set was tough,” said Federer. “It was the one that took the longest, had the most importance of all the sets, in my opinion. It was definitely key to the rest of the match because I think it maybe might’ve taken some energy out of Tomas. Who knows? If not physical, also mental. It’s always tough to lose the first set in best of five in a breaker.”

The final quarterfinal on Tuesday between Djokovic and Kei Nishikori got underway around 3:00 a.m. EST, and while Nishikori came into the match playing some outstanding tennis, the world number one made quick work of the seventh-seed 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic broke through for a 4-2 lead in the opening set and went on to serve out the set. Two more break points in the second set allowed Djokovic to take a commanding two sets to love lead.

And despite going up a break in the third, too many errors from the usually efficient Nishikori were his downfall. He committed 18 in the third set, 54 overall, allowing Djokovic to battle back in the third set and win in straight sets.

“I was solid. I was determined, focused. In important points and moments I managed to stay composed and make him play an extra shot,” said Djokovic. “Overall it was a very solid performance.”

Djokovic and Federer are 22-22 against each other overall.

“Roger is playing really terrific tennis in the past two years,” said Djokovic. “We played two Grand Slam finals last year. I know very well how good he plays, especially in the later stages of a major event. He always makes you play your best. My best is what is going to be necessary to win against him. Hopefully I’ll be able to deliver.”