Rafael Nadal clashes Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after they have recorded their respective victories against their opponents in the quarter finals.
Federer advances to the semi-finals by defeating the 11th seed Juan Martin del Potro in three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
It took the former 16 time grand slam champion under two hours to defeat Del Potro.
Del Potro was broken early in all three sets and had no answer to the variety of Federer’s play, with the Swiss yet to lose a set in Melbourne.
The Swiss had a slight falter in the second set, surviving four break points, before resuming his dominance to break in the opening game of the third set and bringing the match to a conclusion with a sumptuous backhand winner.
Federer had little trouble in disposing the Argentine in their first meeting in a major tournament since Del Potro’s victory in the final of the US Open in 2009.
The second seed Nadal won over seventh seed Tomas Berdych 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-3. The match lasted four hours and sixteen minutes.
“Tired,” was Nadal’s reaction after the match ended. “But hopefully I am fine.
According to Nadal, “The second set was key for me and I resisted well in the third and fourth sets after four hours of intense battle and I am happy how I finished physically.”
Czech Berdych, who had lost his last nine matches against Nadal, looked poised to take the first set when he had three break points in the 12th game but he hit a forehand into the net to give his opponent hope.
