Roger Federer Battles Back To Reach Semi-Final
27 January 2010
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Roger Federer had to fight back from losing the opening set to reach hit twenty third consecutive Grand Slam semi final.
He faced a tricky encounter with Russian Nikolay Davydenko who had gotten the better of the world number one in their last two meetings.
And it looked like Davydenko meant business as he stepped out onto the court for the opening set as his powerful made Federer look pedestrian.
Forcing error after error from Federer and breaking him twice to take the opening set 6-2 in just thirty four minutes.
This form continued into the second as the sixth seed opened up a 3-1 lead but from this point on his game begin to falter.
Federer upped his level, began serving much better, and took an incredible thirteen games on the bounce to lead the match two sets to one, in the third set Davydenko failed to get a mark on the board.
Leading 2-0 in the fourth set it looked like it might be another straight forward set for Federer by Davydenko battled back.
The Russian, who has been the man in form since the beginning of the season, managed to stop the rot and peg Federer back to 4-4.
At 5-4 Federer served for the match but Davydenko came up with two outrageous shots to break the world number one and once again level the set.
But it wasn't to be enough as Federer broke straight back before holding his own serve to wrap up a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.
After the match reflected on his semi final record telling the BBC: "It's incredible looking back on how many years it is now that I'm able to deliver at Grand Slam play, especially this year.
"I was just a bit worried I was not going to make it this time in the semis. You always believe the streak is going to be broken.
"Now the record is safe again and I've been able to add one more. It's amazing. Definitely one of the most incredible things I have in my resume."
Federer will now play the tenth seed Jo- Wilfred Tsonga for a place in the final as the Frenchman put out Novak Djokovic.
It was a rematch of the 2008 final where Djokovic beat Tsonga to win his first Grand Slam tournament and both men looked in good shape coming into the match.
Djokovic had had an easy passage to the quarter final stage having not played a single seeded player.
Tsonga on the other had had had a tougher route with a four set victory over Tommy Haas in the third round before coming through a mammoth five setter on Monday against Nicholas Almagro.
And it was Djokovic who struck first in the opening set break Tsonga but the Frenchman, despite some erratic play at times, battled back to take it in a close tie break 10-8.
But the world number three continued to play well and it was more of the same as Djokovic once again threw away a break of serve to allow Tsonga to level the set.
Another tie break and it was a more convincing section of play from the former champion as he levelled the match at a set a piece.
The momentum was well and truly well with Djokovic as he raced through the third set taking it 6-1 as Tsonga struggled to get his game under control.
Into the fourth and Tsonga seemed to have regained his composure but Djokovic seemed to be struggling with a stomach issue.
With Djokovic in trouble Tsonga got the break to open up a 2-0 lead. At the end of the game Djokovic took a medical time out to reportedly go and be sick.
On his return Tsonga continued to dominate play as Djokovic's game began to falter. 5-0 up the set was over for the world number three and while he eventually did get on the board Tsonga too it 6-2 to level the match.
Before this tournament Tsonga had never played a five set match in his career and has been taken the distance in his last two matches.
Tsonga broke early to take a 2-0 lead and while Djokovic did begin to play better he couldn't match the power and inspired play of the Frenchman, who was roared on by the crowd.
After four hours on court Tsonga finally wrapped up the match 6-7 7-6 6-1 3-6 1-6 to set up the Federer clash.
The first of the semi finals gets underway tomorrow morning, 8.30am UK time, as Andy Murray takes on Marin Cilic.
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