Australian Open Semifinals Set

Sports News - January 27th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

As the Australian Open quarterfinals came to a close, the top seeds on both the men's and woman's side both advanced, in Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Third seed Novak Djokovic was not as fortunate, as the 2007 Australian Open champion went down in a hard-fought, five set match to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Federer had to once again come from behind in his match, following a sluggish start against Nikolay Davydenko. The top seed dropped the first set 2-6, before finding his footing, and claiming the next three sets. With the win, Federer moves on to his 23rd consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.

"It's incredible, looking back on how many years that is now, I'm able to deliver at Grand Slam play," Federer remarked after his quarterfinal match. "For some reason I was just a bit worried I was not going to make it this time in the semis. Now obviously that it's safe again and I've been able to add one. Definitely one of the most incredible things I have in my resume."

Davydenko came into the the quarterfinals riding a 13-consecutive match winning streak. He opened the match playing very well, forcing Federer into tough positions. However, Federer was able to assert himself, and control the match following the opening set.

"I've played him many times before, and I know he goes through some rock-solid phases at times," Federer said in a post-match interview. "I just tried to stay positive."

The top seed in the women's bracket, Serena Williams, advanced to the semifinals as well. Similar to Federer, Williams dropped the first set in her quarterfinal match up against Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka jumped out to a blindsiding 4-0 lead during the first set. For the first time in the tournament, Williams seemed to be caught off-guard. However, the no.1 ranked player collected herself, and was able to get passed in a grueling three set match.

"I wasn't playing my best, especially in the first two sets," she said of her start. "I was down the whole match from the first point. I wasn't surprised but I was definitely shocked."

Rather than folding, Williams exhibited why she is the top player in the game today.

"I think it's impressive the way she does it," her opponent, Azarenka said. "She's a strong girl. She has very powerful shots."

Serena's sister Venus, was unable to advance to the semifinals, losing in three sets to Li Na, of China. A win would have matched the two William's sisters together in the semifinals.

"It's important to put the ball in the court," Venus Williams said after her match. "I felt like sometimes I made some errors."

She had a chance to win in the second set, serving for the match. However she was unable to convert, which forced the match into a deciding third set. Li was able to take advantage of her new life, and advanced to her first Australian Open semifinal.

"In China, we say if you have tough time and then you return back, maybe have good luck," Li said in an interview.

Serena Williams is the heavy favorite over Li in their upcoming semifinal match. Williams has been set as a -385 favorite according to the Tennis Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook.

Djokovic battled a stomach virus, in addition to Tsonga, during his five set loss in the quarterfinals. Tsonga defeated him 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, in a match that seemed to wear on the past Australian Open Champion.

"I had to go to the toilet otherwise I would have thrown up on court," Djokovic said after the match. "When you lose a lot of fluids, your engines stop working and that's how I felt."

Djokovic's assessment seems accurate by the result of the 6-1 loss he suffered in the match's final set, which sent him on an early exit from the year's first Grand Slam.

Tsonga was asked of his opponents illness, and said he didn't know how much it affected Djokovic throughout the course of the match.

"He had a little bit of a stomach problem," Tsonga remarked in an interview. "It's strange because sometimes he doesn't play the point, and when it starts to become important he plays."

Whatever the case may be, Tsonga secured a berth in the semifinals where he will face Federer. Federer has been installed as a -550 favorite to reach the Australian Open final, according to the Tennis Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook. Tsonga assumes the underdog role, with odds currently at +350.

The semifinals of the Australian Open begin Thursday at 1:30 pm local time. They can be seen on ESPN2 at 9:30pm EST on Wednesday night, January 27th.