Roger Federer’s straightforward passage through the Australian Open draw continued today as he booked his place in the semi-final with a three sets win over Juan Martin Del Potro.
It was the first time that these two players had faced each other since De Potro had fought back to beat Federer to claim the U.S. Open title in 2009 - but since then the Argentinean has been hampered with injury.
It was a 1,000th match for the sixteen time Grand Slam champion and it took him under two hours to complete a routine victory.
It was a blistering start from the former world number one has he broke immediately and opened up a 3-0 in the first set.
But the experienced Del Potro did fight back only to lose his serve for a second time at 4-5 to surrender the set.
Into the second and the Del Potro serve was under pressure again in the fourth game - and while he save the first break point chance he was unable to fend off the second as Federer got the break.
But at 5-3 it was Federer who was fighting off break points as Del Potro tried to keep his hopes in the set alive.
But he was unable to convert on any of his four break chances as Federer held to take the second set - there looked like no way back for the former world number five.
Into the third and Federer broke in Del Potro’s opening service game to immediately take a 2-0 lead. That break was enough go him to seal a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win and book his place in the semi-final.
Speaking to the ATP after the match Federer said: I wish it was 1000 wins, but I'm happy with 1000 matches in total, too. It's nice to win this one.
“I do not remember my 500, and that was the [2005] US Open final against [Andre] Agassi. It's a lot of matches and a lot tennis. Either I have been around for a long time or I'm extremely fit."
And in that semi-final he will face old foe Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard came through 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-3 against Tomas Berdych.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
by Helen Earnshaw
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