Federer destroys del Potro to reach Australian Open semis
Roger Federer breached the Australian Open semi-finals after beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
The swiss will next face Rafael Nadal or Tomas Berdych.
Federer started in ominous fashion, unveiling his full repertoire of strokes and breaking del Potro at his first opportunity.
The Argentine settled and forced a break of his own in the seventh game, but a double-fault cost him the opener.
In the second set, Federer broke to lead 3-1, and he moved two sets clear after a tough ninth game in which he was forced to save four break points.
But that game proved a key missed opportunity for del Potro as he was again broken early in the third set, and an untroubled Federer broke again on his way to taking it 6-2.
"I'm very happy," Federer said. "I thought it was a great match. It was tough with the sun and shade creeping across the court but I thought we did well. I thought it was a high-quality match."
Federer said he was aware of the dangers posed by del Potro but said he was "able to manoeuvre him around" the court.
He said he would probably tune in to watch the later semi-final between Nadal and Berdych, even though he knew the games of both well.
"There are no secrets out there but I will still enjoy it. I love good tennis," he said.
Federer insisted he wanted a crack at the Spaniard.
"Obviously I'd like to play Rafa because of our great epic match earlier in the finals here a few years ago," said Federer.
"I'd like to get a chance to play him again here."
Source AFP
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
