For the 13th time in 14 years, the Federer Express is back to the semifinals of the Australian Open. After a grueling 5-set round-of-16 win against Kei Nishikori – 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 – Federer had a much easier time disposing of Mischa Zverev in the quarterfinals.
Federer won 68 percent of his second serves, 47 percent of his return points, and shot 65 winners against Zverev as he rolled to a comfortable straight-sets win, 6-1, 7-5, 6-2.
It’s remarkable to think that at age 35 and coming off a six-month layoff, Federer did not look at all hindered by that 5-set war against Nishikori. As if it wasn’t obvious from the first four rounds, Federer looks as fit as ever.
R-Fed probably won’t be sweating this semifinal matchup against fellow Swiss, Stan Wawrinka. Federer has simply owned his countryman on tour throughout his career. Federer is 18-3 all-time in 21 all-time head-to-heads against Wawrinka. He has also won all 12 of their meetings on hard court, which includes a 2015 US Open semifinal win.
After a rocky first couple rounds, Stan Wawrinka has finally settled into a much better groove at this year’s Australian Open. The World No. 4 went four or more sets in two of his first three rounds, but needed the minimum three sets to take care of both his round of 16 and quarterfinal matchups as he defeated Andreas Seppi – 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 7-6(4) – and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – 7-6(2) 6-4 6-3.
The 2014 Australian Open winner has now reached his third semifinal in four years in Melbourne.
Wawrinka’s return game wasn’t very sharp against Seppi as he converted just 2 of 9 break point opportunities and won only 35 percent of return points overall. But he improved against Tsonga, as he went 3-of-3 on break points and won 41 percent of return points.
Wawrinka’s return game will have to be at its very best against Federer. Wawrinka has lost all five sets in his last two matches against Federer, and broke him just once in those two matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Federer (-150) marches on to yet another Grand Slam final as he once again gets the better of Wawrinka.
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