Federer shows his class
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ByEurosport
Published 27/01/2006 at 11:34 GMT
Roger Federer cruised past Nicolas Kiefer in four sets to take his place in the Australian Open Final on Sunday against Marcos Baghdatis. Despite dropping the second set in his 6-3 5-7 6-0 6-2 win, the world number one showed glimpses of his best form as
TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Kiefer N. 1/2 final
Image credit: Reuters
The world number one finally found his 'A' game in the second half of this match, dropping just two games in the final two sets and producing some breath-taking shots. A timely reminder of just how good the Basel man can be.
Kiefer competed well through the first two sets, and deserved the second, breaking Federer in the twelth game to clinch the set.
However, this proved to be just the motivation that Roger would need to raise his game after an indifferent start to the match. Kiefer simply couldn't live with him on the court as he produced a clutch of winners on both flanks to rush through to the final.
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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Kiefer N. 1/2 final
Image credit: Reuters
The final two sets passed by in just under an hour, and Federer now has the chance to add to his collection of six grand slam titles when he takes on the sensation of the tournament, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, in the Final on Sunday.
EVEN START
Both men started the match playing to a high standard. Federer's first delivery was a little shaky, but he was solid off the ground, hitting a glut of winners off both wings to extract an early break of serve from his opponent to take the first set.
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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Kiefer N. 1/2 final
Image credit: Reuters
Kiefer was unlucky to find himself down in the early stages. He was able to dominate with his own first serve, and caused Federer all sorts of problems with his returns, creating break points but never managing to take his opportunities as his opponent consistently produced the good when it really mattered.
The theme continued into the second set, going with serve until Kiefer was able to force a forehand error from Federer on break-point in the final game to take the set.
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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Kiefer N. 1/4 final
Image credit: Reuters
THE VERY BEST
But the German was unable to maintain his level and looked shell-shocked an hour later as Federer gave a demonstration of his best tennis to finish the match.
He totally controlled proceedings as his bewildered opponent was forced to watch the ball zip past on a regular basis.
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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Kiefer N. 1/2 final
Image credit: Reuters
The 2004 champion even managed to get his serve going, getting his first serve percentage up to 66% by the end of the match, his placement preventing Kiefer from using his usually lethal return to any effect.
On his form of the final two sets, it's difficult see Federer not adding to his collection of six major titles as he looks to keep his 100% record in grand slam finals.
"I'm really happy to be back in the finals, this is what my hope was at the beginning of the tournament," Federer said.
"It's a long road to make it here. Now I'm excited," he told a news conference.
Australian Open: Men's draw
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