Federer Knocked Berdych Down in Five Sets

reuters.com

Swiss ace Roger Federer struggled in the quarter-final of Australian Open 2009, downing a brave Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-2.

In the first set, Berdych led 2-0 and 4-1 as Federer created two double faults. It was not as if Federer wasn’t playing his usual high-quality game; he made too many unforced errors that gave Berdych advantage to lead. Federer's returns often hit the net and went far out of the court.

After losing 6-7(4) in the second set, Federer rose back to take the third set 6-4 and the fourth set with the same score.


"I am very proud of my performance today. Tomas puts great power in his forehand, backhand and also his serve. That's what makes playing him that difficult. There was loads of adrenalin in the match today, I had to keep pushing myself forward. I then managed to commit less errors, I served well, that was the key. I am very happy with the result - I was, after all, almost on the plane back home already." - Roger Federer


Federer serves to Berdych.

Besides Federer, seven-seeded Andy Roddick progressed to the quarter-final with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 win over Spanish Tommy Robredo.


Roddick defeat Robredo

In the women's singles, top seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia crashed out to French sixteen-seeded Marion Bartoli in straight sets, 1-6, 4-6. It was a big surprise. Bartoli will face Russian Vera Zvonareva who defeat fellow countrywoman Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-4.

Dinara Safina also made it to the quarter-final, defeating French number one Alize Cornet in a tough three-setter, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. She will meet Australian comeback Jelena Dokic who beat teenager Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 5-7, 8-6.


Alize Cornet of France serves to Dinara Safina of Russia.

Sunday (1/25) quarter-final results:
Men's singles

2-Roger Federer (SUI) def. 20-Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
7-Andy Roddick (USA) def. 21-Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-5, 6-1, 6-3
8-Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) def. 19-Marin Cilic (CRO) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2

Women's singles

16-Marion Bartoli (FRA) def. 1-Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-1, 6-4
3-Dinara Safina (RUS) def. 15-Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
7-Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. 10-Nadia Petrova (RUS) 7-5, 6-4
Jelena Dokic (AUS) def. 29-Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 7-5, 5-7, 8-6