Australian Open, Melbourne
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 17-30 January
Coverage: Watch on BBC TV, Red Button, BBC Sport website (UK only) & Eurosport; listen on BBC 5 live sports extra and online; text commentary online; full details

Djokovic beats Berdych to set up Federer clash (UK only)

By Ben Dirs

Novak Djokovic beat Tomas Berdych 6-1 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to set up a semi-final against defending champion Roger Federer at the Australian Open.

Third seed Djokovic, beaten by sixth seed Berdych in last year's Wimbledon semi-finals, took the first set in 36 minutes, his forehand wreaking havoc.

He lapsed in the second as his Czech rival found some form, although the Serb did enough to win a tie-break.

But Djokovic re-found his top form in the third, utterly outclassing Berdych.

"Today has been a real test, because he [Berdych] is a very difficult opponent," said Djokovic.

"I have nothing to lose playing Federer, who's the title defender here. We all know everything about him. I have to believe in myself in order to win that match."

606: DEBATE Straight sets then. Pity that, Tomas has had a good tournament. But the Djoko-Federer match is going to be massive Lionel

Djokovic, champion in Melbourne in 2008, came out with all guns blazing, his forehand particularly potent as his opponent struggled to get a foothold.

The 23-year-old unleashed a fizzing forehand pass to make it 3-1 before breaking again and closing out the first set with another forehand winner.

Berdych, 25, pulled out a couple of hefty first serves to save two break points in the first game of the second set and Djokovic suddenly went off the boil, his body language suggesting he was having problems seeing the ball.

Berdych made the most of Djokovic's lapse, setting up three break points with a huge forehand winner and converting the first of them to make it 3-1.

However, Djokovic produced an audacious forehand lob from behind the baseline to break back before calling for some eye drops, which seemed to clear up the problems with his vision.

Djokovic 'lucky' to win after lens problems (UK only)

The roof now closed because of rain, Djokovic, by now taking an age to deliver each serve, dug deep to hold his next service game, but Berdych's double-fisted backhand was beginning to yield results.

Djokovic exhibited more negative body language after Berdych held serve at 5-5, staring up at his coach in apparent disbelief, but the Serb quickly refocused, sending down some solid serves to take the set to a tie-break.

The Serb raced into a 5-2 lead, only for Berdych to neutralise the break with a dipping forehand winner. But Berdych had some bad luck when a net cord bounced out and Djokovic closed out the set.

Djokovic produced a couple of fine returns on his way to breaking at 2-1 in the third set and from there on in it was a demolition, with Berdych powerless in the face of some sensational hitting.

Federer leads Djokovic 13-6 in head-to-heads and the Swiss has won the last three meetings.

However, Djokovic beat Federer in straight sets the last time they met at the Australian Open, in the semi-finals in 2008.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version