Australian Open: Federer outplays Berdych to reach semis again

Roger Federer continued his perfect record in Australian Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets win over Tomas Berdych on Tuesday.

The Swiss great made it 12 wins in as many last-eight matches in Melbourne, beating Berdych 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer, with four of his 17 grand slam crowns having been won in Australia, was dominant after taking a tight first set.

His forehand did most of the damage with 20 of his 48 winners as he moved into the semis to face either Novak Djokovic or Kei Nishikori.

Federer has now remarkably reached the semi-finals in Melbourne in 12 of the past 13 years.

Berdych, a semi-finalist in Melbourne the past two years, was left to rue missed chances, particularly during the first set.

The Czech 2010 Wimbledon runner-up was punished as he slumped to a fifth straight loss against Federer.

Berdych failed to consolidate an early break and he had to fight off a set point in the 10th game, leading to a first-set tie-break.

There was little Berdych could do as Federer served well and hit a backhand down-the-line winner as he took a 4-1 lead in the tie-break on his way to clinching the set.

Federer made the ideal start to the second set, breaking in the opening game with a backhand pass.

Unlike Berdych, he built on that advantage and pulled away, losing just five points on serve in the second set.

Berdych was the first to break serve in the third, but again he failed to capitalise – allowing Federer back into the set before having heavy strapping removed from his left foot.

Federer accepted the invitation, breaking in the ninth game when Berdych sent a crosscourt forehand into the net before he made no mistake serving it out.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Federer [3] bt Berdych [6] 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-4

ACES

Federer – 9

Berdych – 9

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Federer – 48/26

Berdych – 27/27

BREAK POINTS WON

Federer – 5/10

Berdych – 2/6

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Federer – 69

Berdych – 54

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Federer – 83/48

Berdych – 68/47

TOTAL POINTS

Federer – 109

Berdych – 89