Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1205478
20 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 JANUARY 2020 TENNIS SPORTS ROGER Federer staged his sec- ond Houdini act of the Australian Open to defeat Tennys Sandgren and reach the semi-finals. This comeback was even more dramatic than his third-round victory over John Millman, where Federer recovered from 8-4 in the deciding tie-break. Here, he was clearly physically below his best, taking an off-court medical time- out in the third set, but saved sev- en match points in the fourth on his way to a 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (8) 6-3 victory. Federer said: "Got to get lucky sometimes I tell you that. Those seven match points, you're not in control. I was just hoping he was not going to smash the winner, and if he missed one or two, who knows what he is thinking about. "I got very lucky. As the match went on I started to feel better again and the pressure eased off. I don't deserve this one but I'm standing here and I'm very very happy." Federer was struggling to move to his forehand side and look- ing nothing like the player who has won 20 grand slam titles but with the prospect of Rafael Nadal equalling his record, he's driving through the pain barrier. American Sandgren, ranked 100 and playing in the biggest match of his life, had three chances at 5-4 in the fourth set but made un- forced errors on all of them. He then led 6-3 in the tie-break and had a further chance but Federer, who has never retired from a pro- fessional match, simply refused to be beaten. He loosened up a little and forced a set point on his own serve, wagging his finger as Sand- gren sent the ball flying long. And Federer ensured those he- roic efforts were not in vain, free- ing himself up to win the fifth set after three hours and 31 minutes. The 38-year-old seemed to have had his major scare against Mill- man, although he was still far from his best against Marton Fucsovics in round four, fighting back from a set down. Both those matches were played at night, and the sunshine seemed to help Federer as he eased to the first set against Sandgren, who was looking to become the lowest-ranked man to reach the semi-finals here for nearly 30 years. But Federer's problems began when he dropped serve in the sec- ond game of the second set, his usually-reliable forehand breaking down with alarming regularity. He was furious to receive a warning in the third game of the third set after a line judge reported him swearing, but that was a triv- ial matter compared to what was going on with his body. The Swiss revealed afterwards he was struggling with a tight groin, and it seemed highly unlikely he would be able to fight through it. He said: "It's been a lot of tennis throughout my life. I was starting to feel my groin, my leg was tight- ening up. "I don't like calling the trainer, sign of weakness and all that. I believe in miracles. It wasn't bad enough where I thought it was go- ing to get worse. Let him finish me off in style and he didn't do that." Next up for Federer is Novak Djokovic, who beat Milos Raonic in straight sets, winning 6-4 6-3 7-6 (1). The semi-final will take place on Thursday and the 38-year-old Swiss said: "You do feel better in a couple of days and you just never know. "With these lucky escapes may- be you play freely because you know you should already be ski- ing in Switzerland. Might as well make the most of it." Despite winning, Federer is out to 12/1 to win the Australi- an Open whereas Djokovic is a strong 4/9 favourite on what he called 'my favourite court' after seeing off Raonic. It will be the 50th meeting of the pair, and Djokovic holds the most slender of leads in their head-to- head. "Obviously, tremendous respect for Roger - he's been one of the all- time greats. "Match-ups against Roger and Rafa have made me the player I am today. I'm grateful I've had so many great matches against those guys. I hope I get to at least one match point!" Djokovic also paid tribute to Kobe Bryant as he continued his march through the Australian Open draw. Djokovic was good friends with the basketball star, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, and he came out for the match on Rod Laver Arena wearing a jacket bearing the initials KB, Bryant's numbers eight and 24 and a heart. Nick Kyrgios had spoken af- ter his defeat by Rafael Nadal on Monday about being inspired by Bryant, and Djokovic certainly looked like a man on a mission in a commanding victory. The defending champion broke down as he spoke about Bryant afterwards, saying: "I don't know what we could say. It really caught us by surprise. "He was one of the greatest ath- letes of all time, he inspired myself and many other people around the world. I had that fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the last 10 years. "When I needed some advice and support, he was there for me. He was my mentor, my friend, it's just heartbreaking to see what has happened to him and his daugh- ter. It's unbelievable." The only real concern on court for the defending champion came in the third set when he began to experience problems with his contact lenses. Djokovic took a medical timeout and looked flustered as he contin- ued to seek help from the trainers but that did not stop him finishing off the match in a tie-break. Another great escape for Federer Australian Open Roger Federer staged his second Houdini act of the Australian Open to defeat Tennys Sandgren and reach the semi- finals Roger Federer celebrates a remarkable win