Federer carves up Berdych to reach semis

The Czech sixth seed had his chances before going down 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-4 to Federer on Rod Laver Arena.

The victory ensures Djokovic and Federer will meet for the 45th time in their careers, with the current head-to-head firmly in the balance at 22 wins each.

The ageless champion is oozing confidence after breaking Berdych nearly at will and crunching 46 winners to romp into the semi-finals for the 12th time in 13 years. If over the past years, while he was trained by the renowned former player Stefan Edberg, Federer displayed a game mainly based on a strong service and an aggressive play at the net, following the replacement of Edberg with Ivan Ljubicic there was an obvious change of approach.

Federer will continue his campaign for a fifth title in Melbourne against either Kei Nishikori or defending champion Novak Djokovic.

The Australian Open released a statement from Sears in which he says he’s been “cleared to fly back home to the U.K.in the next day or so”.

“I’ve played these guys (Federer and Nadal) so many different occasions”.

There’s even a new addition to Melbourne Park called “Novak’s World”, where fans can slip on virtual reality goggles and feel as if they’re walking in Djokovic’s shoes – as he stretches in the locker room and then walks out onto the court as the crowd roars.

“I’m playing good tennis, fun tennis for me anyway”. I think these rivalries have allowed me to grow and to evolve and to understand what it takes to be on the level that they are on. “Lost many easy games”, said Nishikori, who was also troubled by a leg injury. It took a while to get in the mix. It stands for “Sneak Attack By Roger” and it’s a maneuver the Swiss star introduced past year but hasn’t yet displayed in Melbourne.

It also brings up Federer’s 47th grand slam quarter-final, which is the most last-eight appearances in the Open era ahead of Jimmy Connors. I know very well how good he plays, especially in the later stages of a major event. “It’s one of the big tournaments, one of the ones you want to be a part of and compete in, and the whole package creates it. It’s a place where players like to be and like coming back to”. “I just think the next couple years are going to be so crucial for him, and I just hope he’s aware of that fact”.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to deliver”.

But while Federer has won the past four meetings, Berdych has won their last two Grand Slam matches, at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2010. He’s been winning quite comfortably this tournament. “I think it was the right decision”.

“I haven’t practised yesterday, I didn’t hit a tennis ball”, Djokovic said. It’s the only thing they know and I know really for the last 20 years, if you like. So, you know, he’s playing some terrific tennis, as I said, on the hard court.