Federer through to semis with efficient win over Berdych

Federer is now waiting for the victor of the quarter-final between world number one Novak Djokovic and Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who will play later tonight.

“She is such a tough opponent”.

Nishikori was humiliated 6-1 6-1 in his last meeting with Djokovic in November and will be hoping to avenge that defeat and revive memories of his stunning upset of the Serbian in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open. She has now made the quarters or better five times in her last seven attempts. The question is: Do you come in off a low ball because you’re being dragged in, or are you coming in on your terms? His style and grace, his elegant one-handed backhand and his ability to craft shots that make the crowd gasp are enough to make you believe that age is irrelevant.

Both players exchanged early service breaks and Berdych fought off a set point at 5-4 before the opening set went to a tiebreaker.

Sharapova broke to open the match but Williams held in the third game and broke back to level at 2-2. “It’s not a stat that’s set in stone – I still have to win two matches”. Punters have Set Betting props, Tie Break props and dozens of additional lines to choose from ahead of, and during the action tonight.

But the intense Azarenka, nicknamed “Vika”, kept plugging away and got the break she was after in the seventh game to pull 4-3 clear.

Federer and Berdych have a long history, having met at each Grand Slam, two Olympic Games and the Davis Cup. It will also tilt the balance of their head-to-head statistics, which show that each player has now won 22 matches in a series dating back ten years.

A father of four, Federer has two sets of twins.

Roger would obviously love to win another Grand Slam: “It’s part of the reason why I guess I’m still playing”.

“It’s just a pleasure seeing legends around, to be quite honest”.

“I’m very, very happy”.

“The building’s named after him”.

“I said a lot of things in Brisbane”, he grinned like the wild young man he once was himself.

I fancy Djokovic to come to out firing here and the 11/8 about him taking the first set with a -2.5 game handicap is appealing. “Not that I’m not confident but I don’t know, I’m not feeling it at the moment”.

“I just think the next couple of years are going to be so crucial for him”.

Federer added of the “Rocket”: “He’s too nice of a guy”. If everybody could be that, I wish that for everyone. “Clearly it’s motivating, to say the least”.

Roger Federer of Switzerland wipes the sweat from his face during his quarterfinal match against Tom … Azarenka won her Australian titles in 2012 and 2013.

David Goffin of Belgium reacts during play against Roger Federer of Switzerland in the fourth round of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 24 January 2016. Radwanska and Suarez Navarro both had their nerves tested before being able to set up their quarter-final date. I was being a little girl.

Sharapova holds the dismal record of never beating her nemesis in 17 contests dating back 12 years.

From there, Federer went into quick-strike mode and played a flawless second set.

“I feel if I can just continue to play well, then it could be good”, the six-time champion said after celebrating her victory with a graceful twirl.