Federer crushed in Grand Slam semi
Top seed humbled by young Serb in straight sets defeat at Australian Open.
 |
| Djokovic’s victory came after a marathon match lasting more than two hours [AFP] |
Novak Djokovic has ended Roger Federer’s record run of 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals, defeating the defending champion 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) in the Australian Open semi-final.
Third-seeded Djokovic beat Federer in two hours 28 minutes on Friday to book a place in Sunday’s final in Melbourne against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
“It’s amazing – an indescribable feeling to beat the number one player of the world, probably one of the best players this sport has ever had, in straight sets,” Djokovic said.
It was Federer’s first loss at a Grand Slam since defeat by Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the 2005 French Open.
“It’s very difficult to play against a player who is so dominant on any surface and he’s been so successful for the past couple of years,” Djokovic said.
“I’m just so amazed at how well I coped with the pressure, in the most important moments I played my best tennis.”
Federer errors
Djokovic has not dropped a set in his six matches at the Australian Open and it was the 20-year-old Serb’s second win over the Swiss in seven matches and his first at a Grand Slam.
Federer broke Djokovic’s serve in the seventh game when the Serb’s backhand was wide, but he broke back as Federer served for the set.
Two volley errors cost the Swiss top seed and Djokovic broke Federer a second time to take the opening set.
Federer made more errors than Djokovic, who took a set off Federer for the first time in three Grand Slam meetings.
Federer came under increasing pressure in the second set and went down a break in the fourth game against a Djokovic running backhand.
The Swiss again fell behind two break points in his next service game and Djokovic claimed it with a forehand on the line to lead 5-1, but Federer broke back.
Djokovic attempted to serve out for the second set and won a service game on his second set point with an ace.
He fought his way out of three break points in his opening service game of the third set and put Federer under pressure with four break points in the third game, yet the Swiss held firm.
The final set went into a tiebreaker and the Serb claimed it on his first match point for a career defining victory.
Federer’s defeat ended his attempt for now of improving on his Grand Slam titles, remaining two behind Pete Sampras’ record of 14.