federer story

Tennis: Djokovic sets up Federer showdown in semi-final

05 July, 2012 

LONDON: Novak Djokovic booked a Wimbledon semi-final showdown with Roger Federer as the defending champion crushed Germany's Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in the last eight on Wednesday.

Djokovic recovered from a slow start to give a masterclass in the art of brutal baseline hitting and Mayer, the 31st seed, lacked the weapons to respond. World number one Djokovic can now turn his attention to a ninth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance, a feat surpassed by only Federer, Rod Laver and Ivan Lendl.

Djokovic's solitary defeat in his last 33 Grand Slam matches came against Rafael Nadal in last month's French Open final. And with Nadal back home in Mallorca after his shock exit, Djokovic, who has beaten six-time Wimbledon champion Federer in their last three meetings including the semi-finals of the US and French Opens, must fancy his chances of extending his Grand Slam dominance to four titles from the last five majors. “It took me a little bit of time to get used to the conditions because I played my last three matches indoors,” Djokovic said. “It could have gone a different way but I held my nerve and I'm very satisfied with the overall performance. “It's always a pleasure playing against Roger. I'm looking forward to it. “He is a great champion and has been so dominant and consistent at the Grand Slams. He is the ultimate challenge on grass courts.”

Mayer admitted he had been completely out-classed by Djokovic after the first set. “He played unbelievable, especially in the second set. He showed why he's the best player in the world right now. He left me no chance,” Mayer said. “If I could have won the first set maybe I would have had a small chance. But still it's very, very tough to beat him.” Under ominious grey skies, Djokovic made a hesitant opening on Court One as Mayer broke for a 3-2 lead, but the Serbian top seed sprung into life with a break of his own in the next game. After saving three break points following a 20-minute rain delay, Djokovic landed the crucial blow as he broke at 5-4 to take the first set. Mayer, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals eight years ago before fitness and motivation problems prompted him to take time out of the game, emulated his boyhood hero Boris Becker with some spectacular diving volleys as he tried to keep Djokovic at bay in the second set.

But Djokovic – bidding to become the first man since Federer in 2007 to retain the Wimbledon title – was in the groove now and he unfurled a sublime crosscourt winner to break for a 3-1 lead before securing another break to take the second set. Djokovic had worn Mayer down and the 25-year-old produced a blizzard of winners to break for a 5-4 lead before serving out the win.

In another quarter-final French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overcame Germany's 27th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) to reach the last four for the second successive year. Tsonga's reward will be a clash against either Andy Murray or David Ferrer for a place in Sunday's final. The flamboyant French player knocked out Roger Federer in the 2011 quarter-finals after being two sets to love down before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the last four. “I am happy to win and to get a second chance at a semi-final,” said 27-year-old Tsonga. “Philipp played very well. He served well and was the better player from the baseline. It was tough out there.” Defending a 5-1 career record against Kohlschreiber, Tsonga eventually ran away with the quarter-final clash after battling through three tight sets, his 43 winners and 17 aces proving decisive on Court One. Kohlschreiber was playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the 33rd time of asking, making the most of the shock second round exit of Rafael Nadal from his section of the draw.