Federer routs Davydenko to extend semi streak
Nikolay Davydenko
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Roger Federer extended his Grand Slam semi-final streak after recovering from a slow start to end Nikolay Davydenko’s own hot streak of thirteen matches with a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.
The world No.1 will face the winner of tonight’s night match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic in the final four as he bids for a fourth Melbourne Park crown.
The tournament top seed didn’t have it all his own way against Davydenko, who came into the match on the back of two straight wins against Federer – the first of his career – and hustled and harried the Swiss from the start.
Capitalising on Federer’s sluggish start, the Swiss committing 27 errors in the first 13 games, the Russian was virtually flawless for a set and a half.
But when the chance to post a double break at the start of the second for a 4-1 lead slipped from his grasp, the tables quickly turned.
A rejuvenated Federer began finding winners at will, breaking back with a scorching forehand deep to the corner, while across the net Davydenko’s serve completely deserted him. The No.6 seed saw himself broken a further five times in succession as Federer stormed into a winning position of his own.
Davydenko stopped the rot in the fourth as both exchanged service breaks, and even denied Federer his first match point as the Swiss attempted to serve out the match in game 10.
But Federer had the final word, breaking Davydenko in game 11 before serving out to love for the match.
As well as extending the fifteen-time Grand Slam champion’s run to every semi-final since since his third round defeat to Gustavo Kuerten at Roland Garros in 2004, the result also ensures Federer will stay on top of the rankings regardless of the outcome in Melbourne.
Had Federer lost and Djokovic gone on to win his second Australian Open, the Serb would have been installed as the world No.1 on Monday.
