Federer scrapes through

ByEurosport

Published 25/01/2006 at 12:21 GMT

Roger Federer struggled to overcome Nikolay Davydenko with a 6-4 3-6 7-6(9-7) 7-6(7-5) win to get into the Australian Open semis on Wednesday. The world number one made it seven grand slam semi-finals in a row despite a below-par performance and now meets

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

In a match much closer than many predicted, the world number one was made to produce all his fighting qualities as his usually fluid game failed to appear.

Indeed, it wasn't until the final tie-break that Federer found his best shots, precisely when he most needed them.

The Swiss star found his serve broken an amazing five times during the match as his opponent did everything in his power to disrupt Federer's normal game.

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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N.

Image credit: dpa

Using his big ground-strokes, Davydenko was able to move the 2004 champion around the court, preventing him from finding his rhythm, especially on his usually lethal forehand side.

However, Federer's lack of form wasn't all due to his opponent. He looked a tense - and at some time - angry figure on court today, even finding a way to miss simple forehand volleys, normally unthinkable for the man.

PREDICTABLE START

Service dominated through the start of the match, with Davydenko struggling to even take points against serve despite beginning in fine form.

His own delivery seemed secure, and it wasn't until the eighth game of the match that we saw the first crack in his armour.

Federer changed from his usual tactics and played him at his own game to win a battle of patience and finally force the mistake from the Russian that gave him the breakthrough and left him to serve for the set.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

Unfortunately, Federer's own game then decided to let him down as a series of uncharacteristic unforced errors handed parity straight back to the world number five.

But the Swiss star instinctively knew to raise his game again and was able to secure a second break when Davydenko hit a poor backhand long to hand him the opening set.

WRONG SCRIPT

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

The Russian was now supposed to lay down his racket and allow his opponent to glide into the semi-finals, but he had other ideas.

Davydenko was able to secure two unanswered breaks in a set that he dominated thanks to his powerful forehand and a low error count, while Federer started to spray his forehand around in an alarming fashion while losing the second set 6-3.

He even had the cheek to break again in the third and held two set points against serve before Federer found a way back into the match.

COMEBACK KING

Federer then proceeded to produce moments of sublime skill to save his skin and eventually take the set into a thrilling tie-break that he would win saving a fifth set point in the process.

The players traded breaks again at the start of the fourth set before both players settled and the match drew inexorably towards the final tie-break.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N. 1/4 final

Image credit: Reuters

Davydenko had already saved one match-point in the previous game when he was to face two more in the breaker. Having saved the first off his own serve, he was powerless to resist the second, as Federer blasted a serve out of reach and finally put his resistance to bed.

Although considerably below his best, the top seed will take heart in his ability to pull out the big points when needed ahead of Friday's clash with Nicolas Kiefer. With a place in the final at stake, the emotional German is sure to be a big test, and the Swiss will have to raise his level once again.

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