NOVAK DJOKOVIC WITHSTANDS ROGER FEDERER’S FIGHTBACK IN THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2016 SEMI-FINALS

Written by: Resendiz on 28th January 2016

NOVAK DJOKOVIC WITHSTANDS ROGER FEDERER'S FIGHTBACK IN THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2016 SEMI-FINALS |

Novak Djokovic sprinted to a commanding lead and held off a spirited effort by Roger Federer to prevail 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday night. Djokovic committed a mere 20 unforced errors–80 fewer than he had sprayed in a fourth-round win over Gilles Simon–to advance in two hours and 19 minutes.

The world No. 1 took 11 of the match’s first 12 games and had a two-set advantage after just 55 minutes. A mere six unforced errors came off his racket in the entirety of the first two sets.

“Against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I’ve played against him overall I think throughout my career,” Djokovic assessed. “I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was…yeah…I think a different level than from before.”

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a serve to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their semi final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

After looking positively without answers throughout the first two frames of play, during which his error count (24) more than doubled his winners (11), Federer suddenly picked up the pace. From just about out of nowhere, the 34-year-old Swiss broke the Djokovic serve in a 3-2 game that went two five deuces and saw Federer miss three excruciating chances before final capitalizing on a fourth. The world No. 3 held his next two service games to seize the set and continued to come up with brilliance en route to a 3-3 deadlock in the fourth.

At one point, Federer covered just about every single square inch of the tennis court before flicking a cross-court forehand passing shot past Djokovic. The 17-time major champion later won arguably the best point of the tournament while serving at 3-4, 15-30. It included a backhand half-volley and an amazing retrieval of a Djokovic lob before concluding with an on-the-run backhand pass.

That Federer magic, however, proved to be the last point he would win. Djokovic made one final push to get across the finish line and avoid either a tiebreaker, or even a fifth set. The top-seeded Serb broke for 5-3 and delivered a love service hold to clinch victory after two hours and 19 minutes.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2016. EPA/FILIP SINGER

“Obviously I didn’t want to allow him to come back to the match and give him an opportunity maybe to take the match to the fifth,” Djokovic explained. “I know that if I drop my level or concentration or allow myself to get distracted by anything that he would take the first opportunity, jump on me, and just take the lead of the rallies. That’s what he [did] in the third.”

“Before you can really sometimes do something, 45 minutes, a lot of tennis is being played and it’s tough to get back into it,” Federer said of his overwhelmingly quick deficit. “I found a way. Started to play better myself. Made a bit of a match out of it, which was nice. But still disappointed obviously that it didn’t go better tonight.”

Djokovic, who is a perfect 5-0 in Australian Open finals, awaits either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic.

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Atp World Tour, Djokovic vs. Federer, Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, sports news, Tennis