WATCH: Roger Federer: All-Swiss semi-final against Stan Wawrinka 'couldn't be cooler'

Roger Federer did what Andy Murray could not and beat Mischa Zverev

WATCH: Roger Federer: All-Swiss semi-final against Stan Wawrinka 'couldn't be cooler'

Roger Federer did what Andy Murray could not and beat Mischa Zverev to reach his 41st grand slam semi-final at the Australian Open.

Zverev has turned back the clock with his serve and volley tactics in Melbourne but the biggest throwback may be yet to come as Federer moved one step closer to an 18th grand slam title.

The 35-year-old, whose last major triumph came at Wimbledon in 2012, cruised to a 6-1 7-5 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena and will now face Stan Wawrinka in an all-Swiss showdown for a place in Sunday's final.

Zverev, ranked 50th in the world, had bamboozled Murray with his old-school serve and volley tactics but perhaps the surprise factor had been lost because Federer never looked rattled.

Instead, he hit 65 winners and broke six times, with Zverev managing to win only 44 of his 90 forays to the net. Federer took the first set in just 19 mintues.

"I used to like those days when they came in a bit but not so much now," Federer said on court afterwards.

"The game has changed, courts are slower, balls are slower, I had to adapt my game to a different style.

"I enjoy that, baseline slug-fests are okay too. We'll probably get some of them next match."

Wawrinka certainly represents a formidable challenge, the US Open champion and arguably most dangerous player left in the draw given he has won three grand slams in as many years.

The 31-year-old, however, has often struggled to find his best against Federer, his friend and mentor, with whom he won the Davis Cup in 2014.

"He's a clutch player now," Federer said of his next opponent. "At the US Open he proved it again, he's won a slam for the last three years.

"At Davis Cup, when it was important he was right there for me, for us, for Switzerland.

"For me to play against Stan I've got to stay aggressive, the more time I give him the better he is. He's the biggest hitter we have in the game right now."

Fedrerer added with a smile: "I'm happy for him to have gotten this far but he doesn't need to go one step further."

Wawrinka often grows into a tournament, vulnerable in the early rounds but, as Novak Djokovic found to his cost in Flushing Meadows, unstoppable when the finishing line is in sight.

Federer, however, is also gathering momentum after only just returning from six months out with injury, but still beating Tomas Berdych and then Kei Nishikori en route to the last four.

"My expectation was not to be playing Stan in the semis," Federer said. "I thought I was maybe going to win a few rounds, fourth round, quarters, that was my expectation if the draw was okay.

"That was before the draw - people were talking about the dream draw but I was like, 'what am I missing? I'm not seeing the dream draw at all'.

"So I never thought it would be this good but here I am standing with Stan at the semis, which couldn't be cooler for the both of us."

more courts articles

Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Irish rowing team named for World Cup in Italy
Novak Djokovic Djokovic ends successful partnership with coach Ivanisevic
Jannik Sinner Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz march into last eight in Miami
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited