<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jan/Roger-Fed-25.jpg" alt="" />Federer celebrates after defeating Zverev in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AP, AFP
Melbourne: Roger Federer is just one step away from his first Grand Slam final in 18 months yesterday after he demolished giant-killer Mischa Zverev to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Stan Wawrinka.
Federer, 35 and considered past his prime after an injury-ruined 2016, rolled back the years with a masterful 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 win in just 92 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. The four-time champion will next take on his Swiss Davis Cup teammate and World No. 4 Wawrinka in what promises to be an enthralling semi-final showdown.
Five and counting Federer, to his surprise, has now won five matches in his comeback from a six-month injury break, with hopes rising of a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne. &ldquo;I felt I was always going to be dangerous on any given day in a match situation. But obviously as the tournament would progress, maybe I would fade away with energy,&rdquo; Federer said. &ldquo;Now that I&rsquo;m in the semis, I&rsquo;m feeling as good and playing well, this is a huge surprise to me. If someone would have told me I&rsquo;d play in the semis against Stan, never would I have called that one for me. For Stan, yes, but not for me,&rdquo; he added.
It will be the Swiss legend&rsquo;s record 13th Australian semi-final appearance and 41st Grand Slam semi-final. It was a dominant performance from Federer, hitting 65 winners to just 13 unforced errors and breaking left-hander Zverev&rsquo;s serve six times. &ldquo;I think it definitely went as good as it possibly could have gone,&rdquo; Federer said.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jan/Wawrinka-25.jpg" alt="" />Wawrinka&nbsp;Pic/AP, AFP
Stan ready for battle Wawrinka feels he is ready to emerge from the shadow of the great Federer and make his own statement in their semi-final showdown. The big-hitting Wawrinka mastered former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets to reach his third Australian Open semi-final. The World No. 4 won 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-3. &ldquo;Yeah, for sure now I&rsquo;m more confident with myself. When I step on the court, doesn&rsquo;t matter who I play, I know what I have to do if I want to win,&rdquo; Wawrinka said.

Roger Federer is just one step away from his first Grand Slam final in 18 months yesterday after he demolished giant-killer Mischa Zverev to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Stan Wawrinka.

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Roger Federer is just one step away from his first Grand Slam final in 18 months yesterday after he demolished giant-killer Mischa Zverev to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Stan Wawrinka

Australian Open: Can Roger Federer go past Stanislas Wawrinka in semifinal clash?

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Australian Open: Can Roger Federer go past Stanislas Wawrinka in semifinal clash?

Australian Open: Can Roger Federer go past Stanislas Wawrinka in semifinal clash?

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