Roger Federer was at his imperious best as he reached his 18th grand slam final with a straight sets victory over Andy Roddick at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Roddick celebrates reaching his 18th grand slam final after his superb victory over Andy Roddick.
Roddick celebrates reaching his 18th grand slam final after his superb victory over Andy Roddick.
The world number two had too much power for seventh seed Roddick, taking just two hours 17 minutes to defeat the American 6-2 7-5 7-5 and book a place in the final against either top seed Rafael Nadal or Fernando Verdasco.
The victory means Federer is now just one away from Ivan Lendl’s all-time record of 19 grand slam final appearances.
“It’s just great to be playing here — it’s fun out there,” a delighted Federer told the official tournament Web site. “If I can break records, too, then that’s great.”
Roddick has only ever beaten Federer in two of their previous 17 meetings — the most recent success coming in Miami last year — and he never looked like repeating that in a match played with the Rod Laver Arena roof open following a drop in temperature which brought to an end the extreme heat policy procedures.
A hustling Roddick tried everything from drop shots to bullet-like serves to find a way through the Federer armory. Although there were times when the three-time Australian Open champion could only stand and watch the aces go by or send a drop shot return into the net, he largely had an answer for everything Roddick could send his way.
The second seed took the lead for the first time in the third game of the opening set when he reached a well-placed volley by Roddick and fired a down the line winner back past his unbelieving opponent.
Roddick had a break-point opportunity in the next game but failed to take it and he was made to pay dearly for that in the fifth when Federer broke him again then comfortably held serve for a 5-1 lead.
Federer found the net a couple of times in the next game to help Roddick hold his serve but it did not stop Federer taking the first set. The Swiss, chasing a record-equalling 14th grand slam title, had a few nervy moments as he held off two break points before a wide reply by Roddick handed him the game and the set.
The second set was far closer with break point chances few and far between. But just when it appeared to be heading for a tie-break, Roddick was broken in the 11th game when he had a failed attempt at a volley then Federer hit a blistering winner down the line after looking seemingly out of the point, before the American found the net again. Federer then held his serve to love to wrap up the second set.
It was almost an exact repeat in the third set, although Federer did have the chance to break clear in the fifth game. Roddick was given a code violation for swearing but he produced an audacious sliced backhand to help him on his way to holding his serve.
The break eventually came in the 11th game and Federer served for the match which he sealed with a down the line winner.
Photos from the game & from the past rounds will be added later today. Apologies for delays, it’s been hectic outside of the site!
• Entry posted: 2009-01-29 |
Name: Andrew Stephen Roddick
