• Australian Open, Day Nine

Formidable Federer neutralises Del Potro threat

Roger Federer's shot-making was smooth against Juan Martin del Potro © Getty Images

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Third seed Roger Federer booked his place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open with an impressive 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory over a demoralised Juan Martin del Potro on Tuesday.

Many expected Federer - playing in his 1000th match as a professional - to face a stern test from the dangerous Argentine at Rod Laver Arena, but after the first set was decided by an inopportune double-fault, the Swiss great's array of powerful ground strokes were simply too much for Del Potro to cope with as the game hurtled to a straight sets conclusion.

Such an outcome looked probable from the off, as Federer reeled off the opening three games in a matter of minutes as his opponent, the 2009 US Open champion, made an incredibly slow start to the contest. Del Potro quickly awakened from his slumber, however, shoring up his serve and finally connecting with some bullish winners to wrest his way back to 4-4.

All that work was for nothing, though, as Del Potro contrived to double-fault at a horrible time to hand Federer the break he needed to close out the opening set.

It had all the hallmarks of a decisive moment, and Federer went on to prove that to be the case. Seemingly having adjusted to Del Potro's style of play, Federer - moving around the court with fluidity and freedom - seemed to be in the right position for every ball and was finding the lines with both forehands and backhands.

Another early break put him in the driving position, and the 16-time major champion increasingly came to the net to finish off points as Del Potro failed to find an answer for his troubles.

That sent the contest to a third set, one Del Potro had to win to keep his grand slam ambitions alive. Instead he contrived to be broken immediately, as Federer feasted on an erratic first save that gave him plenty of opportunities to find straightforward winners.

By now his opponent seemed to have figured the game was up, and Federer was not going to release the pressure until the final ball had been hit. That came in good time, as yet another break left him with a simple hold to breeze into the semi-finals for the ninth successive year.

Federer now faces second seed Rafael Nadal in the semi-final after he beat Tomas Berdych in four sets.

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