Testy Federer advances to semis with win over Berdych
Roger Federer won his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych to set up a semifinal clash with 21-year-old Hyeon Chung in a battle of the generations.
Roger Federer has been playing with his customary confidence all throughout the Australian Open, but looked a bit testy and out-of-sorts when he started, allowing Tomas Berdych to quickly establish the upper hand at 3-0. Federer double faulted on his serve, was broken and got into a fight with the chair umpire over the accuracy of Hawkeye. Very un-Federerlike.
But as usual — especially in matches between Berdych and the Swiss Maestro — just when you think the 19-time Slam champ is down, he always finds a way to dig deep and turn the tables. Federer seems to have endless confidence, even when his fans start to get disappointed. Just ask Rafael Nadal, who seemed destined for his second AO title last year, when Federer came behind in the fifth set to win five games in a row to clinch his fifth title Down Under.
“I hung around, got a bit lucky, a bit angry, frustrated, maybe at the umpire, but I actually thought the call was good anyway!” said Federer in his on-court interview. “I was just frustrated and a bit antsy. I’m happy I got out of that first set. It ended up being key to the match. Tomas was great.”
You have to feel for Berdych. When it comes to Federer, the Czech is forever destined to be a bridesmaid, never a bride. He’s been ahead before, but the Swiss always manages to get the better of him. He’s bested him in eight out of 10 semifinals, most recently at last year’s Wimbledon. Even Berdych, the former world No. 4, felt a bit disheartened knowing that the five-time AO champ was waiting for him in the draw. He’s made the quarters and semis so many times, but never gets to a final of a grand slam.
“I think I played a solid match. I played very good tennis. I faced the best opponent that you can have,” he said post-match. “I mean, when you look at the draw, it’s a bit sad. But that’s how it is. I mean, that’s probably what you’re going to find with my name always in the draw.”
Roger Federer is also the only remaining semifinalist from last year. Rafa Nadal, who lost his quarterfinal match against Marin Cilic the day before, retired with a leg injury. Federer, a true class act, wrote him the night before his own match to see how he was doing.
“I wrote Rafa late last night before I went to bed, it was the last thing I did. I was like ‘right, I’ve got to write to Rafa and see how he’s doing and that I hoped he was going to be ok with the scan today.’ I’m happy that the news is not terrible but it was not nice to see a fellow rival and friend go like this go out so I wish him well.”
Next up for the tennis legend is a match of generations. Federer faces 21-year-old Hyeon Chung — 15 years his junior — in the semis. The Swiss star has dismissed plenty of youthful upstarts in the past, but Chung doesn’t seem like he would go quite so easily. He’s having a phenomenal run himself and is a formidable talent with a very promising future. Kyle Edmunds — another surprise contender in the semis bracket — is also left in the draw.
“I’ve never played Chung or Edmund,” said Federer. “It’s great to see new names on the scene. We need it. The way both of him have played is highly impressive. Beating Grigor, beating Novak on this court is extremely difficult. Chung reminds me of Novak, sliding across the back of the court and getting balls back.”
The world No. 58 has been on fire since the start of the tournament, having dismissed first Zverev and then Djokovic. He also issued a warning to the elder statesman.
“I think I’m not tired because I win. When I win the match against top player, never tired. Just happy, no? Mentally happy, nothing tired. Yeah, I’m really surprised because I really don’t know. I make semis, I beat like Sascha, Novak, the other good players.”
It’s pretty much a given that the stadium audience will be rooting for the 36-year-old Federer, who is the oldest semifinalist since Jimmy Connors, since no matter who he plays, Fed’s always the crowd favorite. But Chung will be bringing youthful confidence and a tireless ability to the match, and he’s become a tournament favorite too.
If Federer wins his sixth AO Grand Slam, he will hold the records (tied) for most AO and US Open titles. He already owns the record for most Wimbledons. Nadal, of course, owns the records for the French Open. Federer only has one title there.
Federer plays Chung on Friday.