Another installment of the Novak Djokovic-Roger Federer rivalry will take place in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday. Djokovic is the defending champion of this event, while Federer is ultimately looking for his first winner’s trophy Down Under since 2010.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 45th time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday. The head-to-head series is all tied up at 22-22 after a pair of 2015 World Tour Finals showdowns failed to settle the score. Federer took a brief 22-21 lead by upsetting Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 during round-robin action before the Serb came out on top when the stakes were raised in the final with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.
The two double-digit Grand Slam winners have faced each other three times at the Australian Open. Federer cruised 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the 2007 fourth round before Djokovic’s breakout tournament–resulting in his first major title in 2008–saw him upset the Swiss 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(5) during semifinal action. The world No. 1 has won thee slam matches in a row at his rival’s expense since losing to Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals. Djokovic prevailed in the 2014 Wimbledon final (five sets), the 2015 Wimbledon final (four sets), and the 2015 U.S. Open final (four sets).
“Any round feels like finals because of the fact that we are–you know, big rivals,” Djokovic commented. “We (have) played so many times against each other. There’s a lot of tension. There’s a lot at stake. I’m expecting a great fight.”
This blockbuster battle was almost denied in improbable fashion by massive underdog Gilles Simon. The Frenchman benefited from a shocking 100 unforced errors off the Djokovic racket to push their fourth-round affair two five sets, but the favorite finally survived 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. That was preceded by straight-set defeats of Hyeon Chung, Quentin Halys, and Andreas Seppi, and followed by a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 rout of Kei Nishikori on Tuesday.
Federer has endured no scares of any kind. The 34-year-old Swiss dropped only one set through his first five matches and he bounced back nicely from a minor hiccup against Grigor Dimitrov to win that tussle 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Federer also boasts straight-set victories over Nikoloz Basilashvili, Alexandr Dolgopolov, David Goffin, and Tomas Berdych.
“I feel like I’m competitive at the top,” the third seed assured. “I can beat all the guys on tour. It’s nice now that in the last three slams that I’ve been as consistent as I have been. I’m playing good tennis; fun tennis for me, anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day. So I’m very pleased.”
But he can’t be pleased seeing Djokovic on the other side of the net, as opposed to Simon or Nishikori. Despite the relative competitiveness of the recent matches, Djokovic has simply had Federer’s number of late. Nobody turns defense into offense better than the world No. 1, an aspect of his game that can expertly counter Federer’s aggressiveness and net-rushing. Expect another high-quality contest, with an edge going to Djokovic.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
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Federer has developed an open-stanced backhand but he is not good enough and quick enough with it. His foot speed is not sufficient to hit closed stance running forehands now. He was able to do this in his prime . This , together with the fact that novak is the GOAT in spreading the court, makes life too tough for Roger. DJokovic’s backhand DTL is too tough to defend against for Federer
open stance forehand *** (line 1)
Luckystar, the first two sets twere 54 mins exactly! But best of 5 has given fed the chance to salvage some pride. He has done really well this set. I think it will be over in 4
Rafa still better in BO5, was able to sustain his high level throughout three sets at least to beat Fed at the FO.
Vamos Federer! Yes game on!
So, Novak cant sustain his in the zone tennis over three sets. No wonder he has to fight so hard to win his slams but wins Masters relatively easily.
yeah..
He relaxed. Purely mental. Similar to the Wimbledon 2011 final.
combination of both factors Mikkers… it is normal for Djokovic to relax after winning the first two set too easily. But, fed played a lot better.
Fed was on fire. Still barely won it.
where’s NNY?
It could get very interesting if fed takes set 4
Djokovic getting ready to mount his comeback and demolish the hapless Roger in the 4th set.
Will closing the roof help Roger?
Doesnt seem like a demolition job so far this fourth set.
You can feel it coming tho
Indoor tennis now
This could be beneficial for Federer! Indoors and this break he is getting right now…
Whatever Djoker was on at the beginning of the match is wearing off now. He needs a top up.
Nah he’s just keeping it in reserve.
He’s about to make one final push
So glad fed has put some dents here. Djokovic cruising would in 3 would have been bad.. now, fed has put pressure on him and novak is making more mistakes too!
Go Fed, keep pushing!
VR, I think the Rafa with a good BHDTL shot and right mentality would give this Novak a run for his money.
This match going into 4 sets tells me Novak cant sustain his high level throughout a four or five setter and so his opponent will have his chances.
The important thing is to play him wisely, vary the pace and throw in DTL shots not always CC ones.
I feel Murray if he gets to the final, should take inspiration from Simon and plays a similar way which he’s more than capable of doing; not trying to outhit Novak. Murray should play wisely, not trying to dominate Novak with power, but force errors out of Novak.
So now Fed knows the virtue of slowing down the play and slowing down the pace.
he is not quick enough to play that brand of tennis so yeah he needs to slow things down a little
O WOWWW ! FEDDD!! what a point!
Pity!! Unlucky game for fed
Fed needs to hold here – at 3:4 down in the 4th.
Poor volley on 0-15 !
The writing is on the wall. Djoko will serve for the match.
Yes! Should never have been in this position, but better late than never.
So another final for Novak, tying Fed’s 17 consecutive finals!
That WAS the final.
#SundayExho
I say not…Nole gets it his own way with Fed and Rafa these days…some of the other players (read Wawa, Simon) do not seem to be such an easy job for the Serb…
Milos lost in three sets last year (7:6 6:4 6:2) but it wasn’t a beatdown…this year Milos has improved tremendously and if in the finals may make Novak work for his money…I still think he will not be able to win but it certainly will be better quality match and more competitive than some exho…
Wonder what the handshake will be like
Well played Nole. Repeat performance of the first two sets in the finals please.
Not liking this but too good Novak Djokovic. Too damn good. Not sure who has a better chance in the final against Novak. May the better player reach the final and give a good fight. Normally I would be rooting for Andy but lately he has not been able to make an impact. I hope he can change that. He has the game to trouble novak but beating novak here in the final would be extremely, extremely tough.
neither. Hope this helps.
haha…note that I used the word ‘better’ when talking about the chance each player has…. I know the chances are very slim for both . veyr slim
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Wake me up when this nightmare is over.
it’s over
Won’t be over until 2022.
Djoko vs Fed H2H: 23-22.