Old Man Roger Federer Leads The Way In Brisbane Semifinals; Stan Wawrinka Strong In Chennai
- 37 Comments
Look who’s back in the Brisbane title hunt? It’s the ageless wonder Roger Federer. And at 34, he’s still getting it done. Last night in the quarterfinals he knocked out Grigor Dimitrov in three sets, and tonight he’ll join a trio of players 10 years his junior in the last four.
Federer will meet Dominic Thiem who chopped down Marin Cilic. I like Thiem a lot. He’s got good size, quickness, and he’s quite powerful, like a young Stan Wawrinka, though clay is where he’s played his best. So even though he might be fighting the flu, I have to lean to Federer in this one. And he’s undefeated under Ivan Ljubicic!
In the other semi, Milos Raonic takes on Bernard Tomic. Bernie had a great win in the quarters over Kei Nishikori.
“Obviously this win is huge,” said Tomic. “Now I’m at the level [over the] past few months being in the Top 20 and playing these players that have been consistently in the Top 10, 5 in the world. It’s a huge, huge feeling to play, and it motivates you. That’s what I needed. I needed match wins against these high profile players around the world.”
And Tomic will get another match against a high profile player in the Canadian. And while I’d like to see Bernie get through, I think I’ll go with the power and experience of Milos.
“Obviously this win is huge,” said Tomic. “Now I’m at the level [over the] past few months being in the Top 20 and playing these players that have been consistently in the Top 10, 5 in the world. It’s a huge, huge feeling to play, and it motivates you. That’s what I needed. I needed match wins against these high profile players around the world.”
Over in Chennai, Stan Wawrinka is looking like a man ready to 3-peat there. He’ll meet Benoit Paire in the semifinals. Borna Coric is off to a promising 2016, he’s in the semifinals against Aljaz Bedene.
“Stan is one of my best friends on the tour, so tomorrow will be a fun match,” Paire said. “I had a great 2015, playing Challengers and making my way back [to the Top 50, from outside the Top 100], so why not start 2016 with a final?”
The Brisbane semifinals start at 9:30pm ET with Federer on at 11pm ET.
SATURDAY BRISBANE SCHEDULE
PAT RAFTER ARENA start 11:30 am
ATP – [4] D. Inglot (GBR) / R. Lindstedt (SWE) vs [2] H. Kontinen (FIN) / J. Peers (AUS)
Not Before 12:30 pm
ATP – [4] M. Raonic (CAN) vs [7] B. Tomic (AUS)
Not Before 2:00 pm
ATP – [1] R. Federer (SUI) vs [8] D. Thiem (AUT)
Not Before 6:30 pm
FAST 4 LEGENDS – [1] P. Cash (AUS) vs [2] G. Ivanisevic (CRO)
Not Before 7:30 pm
WTA – SINGLES FINAL – V. Azarenka (BLR) vs [4] A. Kerber (GER)
WTA – DOUBLES FINAL – [1] M. Hingis (SUI) / S. Mirza (IND) vs [WC] A. Kerber (GER) / A. Petkovic (GER)
You Might Like:
Hewitt Topples Federer in Brisbane; Wawrinka Wins Chennai
2015 January Schedules: Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Murray
Where Will Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Be Playing This January?
Davydenko, Roddick, Cilic Collect ATP Titles During Week 1 2010
Federer v Nadal in Doha; Brisbane, Chennai, ATP Previews