Djokovic Beats Federer in Testy Meeting to Gain Australian Open Final
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World No. 3 Novak Djokovic handed former No. 1 Roger Federer a straight-set defeat, 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday in a match filled with tension and riotous cheering from an appreciative Melbourne crowd.
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Djokovic eeked-out the first set before Federer jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second set, but failed to hold his ground as the Serbian ripped off the next five games and the second set.
Down two sets to none, Mr. Nice Federer disappeared, and Hardcore Roger reared his head. Federer appeared to talk to Djokovic during the Serb’s service preparation as Djokovic went into his extensive pre-service ball bouncing. Federer glared at Djokovic’s player box and complained to the chair umpire about excessive cheering, talking and noise. After losing the second set, perhaps to get in the Serb’s head, Federer took a rare bathroom break.
Djokovic had a huge service hold to begin the third set, surviving multiple break points during a 13-minute game, then immediately broke the Swiss for a 2-1 lead. Federer continued conversations with the chair umpire on changeovers, complaining about Djokovic taking too much time between serves.
Federer then came out and took a 30-0 lead on Djokovic’s serve, but the Serb stormed back with four straight points for a 3-1 lead. Serving at 4-3, Djokovic erased a break point with an ace and fought on during a long game that ended with the Swiss breaking back for 4-4.
Djokovic immediately broke back for a 5-4 lead, and displayed an overpowering serve in the final game, with the Swiss fighting off two match points, to clinch victory.
“It’s really one of the best matches I’ve played in a while,” Djokovic said. “I had to take my chances. I was up a break in the second set and in 20 seconds I was down 5-2…I allowed Roger to step in, and he changed his tactics, he got the best out of it. He was in control, for a while…I was aware that this was the court where I could beat him, where I did it before when I won the title.”
Djokovic in the final will face the winner of Friday’s semifinal featuring No. 5 Andy Murray vs. No. 7 David Ferrer.
The men’s doubles final will be the top-seeded Bryan brothers against the No. 3-seeded Indian pair of Mahash Bhupathi and Leander Paes, who in the semis defeated No. 2 seed Max “The Beast” Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3.
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