Roger Federer bested Andy Murray, winning a fourth-set match to advance to the semifinals where he will meet Rafael Nadal.
This is Federer’s 11th consecutive trip to the Australian Open Semifinals. Federer won, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(6-8), 6-3, only rattling in the third set.
Surely a promising start to the season for the 32-year-old, who many wonder just how much he has left. Federer was his typical jovial self post match and offered:
“I’m the guy who misses more break-point possibilities, not the guy [who makes them], so I’m kind of used to it,” he joked. “You stay positive that you gave yourself a chance. You miss another one. But I give myself another chance. Miss one more. Sure, then I want to do something maybe impossible, out of the stadium or something. But I try to keep my composure, keep a poker face. It worked tonight.”
Murray still showed signs that he was in at least some minor discomfort after a minor back surgery last year. But Murray offered no regrets about his performance, stating that it was the highest level of play he’s had in a long time.
Federer noted how great he felt both physically and mentally post match, which is certainly a plus as he prepares to play his arch rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
Nadal is coming off win against Grigor Dimitrov, after nursing a nasty blister on his palm which required several treatments in match. On the upcoming marquee semi match Federer quipped,
“We’ve had some epics over the years,…I hope we can slug it out here in a couple of days.”
The next chapter of the classic duel will take place on Friday.