US Open: Federer Sets Djokovic Semifinal
Federer ousts Tsonga to meet Djokovic
Roger Federer grabbed an outstanding revenge over Jo Wilfried Tsonga, beating the Frenchman in three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the US Open quarter finals to meet Novak Djokovic in the final four term.
The 30 year old Swiss, who was defeated in five sets by the same Tsonga at the Wimbledon event, needed just one hour and 53 minutes to oust the French whom he broke six times in 13 tries. Federer finished the game with 29 winners, a 72 first serve percentage, 30 unforced errors and a 45 return percentage, while his opponent came up with a 53 first serve percentage, 17 winners, 34 unforced errors and a 33 return percentage.
Five time winner of the US Open Roger has now gone 4-3 against Tsonga who he had previously defeated at the 2011 Rome Masters. Tsonga beat the Swiss twice this year in Wimbledon and at the Montreal Masters.
“I’m very happy with the way I’m playing and the way I’m moving. I’m enjoying myself out on the court. Being here in New York and having the support of the crowd is an amazing feeling. I’ve been here for many years and all of the hard work seems to be paying off,” reflected Federer after the game.
Next up for the third seed is Novak Djokovic whom Federer will play for the 24th time. Djokovic has made the progress into the quarter finals after his compatriot Janko Tisparevic retired due to a foot injury. The world number one was in control, leading the meeting 6-7, 7-6, 6-0, 3-0 when Tipsarevic left the court earlier than expected.
The head to head series between Roger and Nole have gone 14-9 to the Swiss who last defeated the current leader at this term’s French Open. As for the Serb, his lat win against the veteran dates from the 2011 Indian Wells. This will also be their fourth US Open meeting, series which Federer 3-1 in New York.
En route to the final four round, Federer has defeated Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, Marin Cilic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and Juan Monaco 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. On the other side, Nole follows a 6-0, 5-1 win against Conor Niland, a 6-0, 6-0, 6-2 one against Calros Berlocq, and a couple of more straight set wins against Nikolay Davydenko whom the Serb ousted 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth round and over Alexandr Dolgopolov whom he upset 7-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Concerning the second half of the draw, second seed and defending champion Rafa Nadal crashed Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in three sets 7-6, 6-1, 6-2. The Spaniard, who had a slow start, edged his opponent 7-6 but after an easy breaker which saw him go 7-1 ahead of Muller. The second set was much easier to grab as Nadal made it 2-0 after just 28 minutes.
As for the third set, it saw Muller concede three services, allowing the second favorite to win the meeting in nearly two hours. Overall, Nadal broke the Luxembourg player six times in 12 tries and conceded a couple of services.
The Spaniard left the court with a 73 first serve percentage, 11 unforced errors, 33 winners and a 49 return percentage, while Muller came up with a 54 first serve percentage, 11 aces, 43 unforced errors and a poor 26 return percentage.
Nadal will next face Andy Roddick whom the 25 year old will meet for the tenth time, first time this year. The American beat fifth seed David Ferrer in four sets 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Roddick converted four out of seven break points, which proved to be sufficient for a big win against the Spaniard who broke the American twice in nine tries.
Roddick’s showing also included a 67 first serve percentage, 19 aces, 41 winners and a 36 return percentage, compared to Ferrer’s 58 first serve percentage, 34 unforced errors, 49 winners and a 29 return percentage.
The head to head series between Nadal and Roddick is led 6-3 by the world number two who last defeated the 29 year old at the World Tour Finals last year. Roddick’s last victory over the former world leader dates from the 201 Miami Masters.
En route to the quarter finals, Nadal has eliminated Andrey Golubev 6-3, 7-6, 7-5 in the opener and Nicolas Mahut 6-2, 6-2 (abandon). Roddick’s route includes a four set win against Michaell Russell, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 one against Jack Sock as well as a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 one over Julien Benneteau.
Andy Murray and John Isner are also expected to fight for a semi final berth. Fourth favorite Murray, who still lacks a Grand Slam trophy, crashed Donald Young 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.The Scott broke the American eight times in 11 tries and only conceded three services, saving at the same time a couple of more break points.
He finished the game with a 47 first serve percentage, 17 unforced errors, 15 winners and a 56 return percentage. Donaldo, who committed 53 unforced errors and conceded the victory in nearly two hours came up with a 59 first serve percentage, 19 winners and a 38 return percentage.
Finally, John Isner, who won this year’s Atlanta event, edged Gilles Simon in four sets and three tie breaks, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, needing nearly three hours to oust the stubborn 12th seed. Isner won the first tie break at two, but was left three games behind in the second term in what seemed to be a consistent comeback from the French.
Simon then pushed the third set into another breaker he eventually lost in the same manner as the first one. As for the fourth set, it saw the same Isner set the pace and provide another better play, winning the last tie break at four.
Isner converted four out of nine break points and conceded five services but even so the French was unable to take advantage of the better returning, conceding the victory at the death. Isner also had a 63 first serve percentage, fired 26 aces, 26 winners and won 34 percent of receiving points.
Simon won 69 percent of first serve balls, hit six aces and six winners and came up with a 36 return percentage. Isner will meet Murray for the second time, the direct confrontations being led by the Scott who beat the 26 year old at the 2010 Australian Open.
Murray had previously ousted Somdev Devvarman 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first term, Robin Haase 6-7, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 in the second one and Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the previous round. Isner follows a 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 win against Marcos Baghdatis, a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 one over Robby Ginepri and a 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 one over compatriot Alex Bogomolov Jr.
US Open Prize Money and points:
Winner – $1,800,000 and 2000 points ATP
Runner-up – $900,000 and 1200 points ATP
Semi finalist – $450,000 and 720 points ATP
Quarter finalist – $225,000 and 360 points ATP
R16 – $110,000 and 180 points ATP
R32 – $55,000 and 90 points ATP
R64 – $31,000 and 45 points ATP
R128 – $19,000 and 10 points ATP
