Roger Federer reaches Australian Open semi-final despite first set wobble against Tomas Berdych

After sweeping Tomas Berdych out of his path with another straight-sets victory – his fifth in succession at this tournament – Roger Federer came up with a comment that should send chills through his rivals: he is feeling in far better health than he was at this time last year.

Federer did show a trace of mortality at the start of this match. He admitted afterwards that he was nervous, because of “what has happened to so many other top seeds here”. During that period of indifferent play, Berdych took a 3-0 lead, and went on to hold a set point at 5-3. But he missed his first serve, and Federer dismissed the second serve from his presence with a flourishing backhand winner up the line.

Having dodged a bullet there, Federer relaxed and delivered the sort of effortless schooling that had seen him win his previous eight meetings with Berdych, dating back to the spring of 2013. He tok came through in 2hr 14 min, by a 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 scoreline. And then came the bombshell, during an entertaining eight-minute on-court interview with Jim Courier.

Asked how his form compares with the way he felt here in 2017, Federer replied “I prefer it this way. Because I wake up in the morning walking normally, whereas last year I was like ‘Oh my God.’ My back and my leg and my foot and whatever were hurting.”

Hyeon Chung – the unseeded South Korean who plays Federer in Friday’s second semi-final – should be concerned, because last year’s model was good enough to beat Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal in back-to-back five-setters over the last few days. How hard will it be to stop him now?

Earlier, Chung had ended the deep run of another surprise package at this event – world No. 97 Tennys Sandgren – with a 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 quarter-final victory. Sandgren will climb more than 40 places on the ladder thanks to his four wins here, though he has also come under scrutiny because of his past interactions on social media with members of the American “alt-right” political movement.

Having being questioned on this issue after his fourth-round win over Dominic Thiem, Sandgren deleted almost two years’-worth of tweets from his account. He then brought a prepared statement into his post-match press conference, which included the following comments. “You seek to put people in these little boxes so that you can order the world in your already assumed preconceived ideas … To write an edgy story, to create sensationalist coverage, there are a few lengths you wouldn't go to … You dehumanise with pen and paper and turn neighbour against neighbour. In so doing, you may actually find you're hastening the hell you wish to avoid.”

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has been diagnosed with a grade-one muscle tear in his right hip after his retirement from his quarter-final against Marin Cilic on Tuesday. His medical staff predict that Nadal should be able to return to fitness in three weeks, and will thus not have to miss any events.

“I wrote Rafa late last night before I went to bed,” said Federer. “It was the last thing I did. I hoped he was going to be okay with the scan, and I am happy that the news is not terrible. But it was not nice to see a fellow rival and a friend like this go out.”

11:05AM

On the Next Genners

Federer plays Chung in the semi-final on Friday (8.30am UK time).   

11:02AM

More from Rog

Jim Courier asks Federer: Will you ever go sleeveless like Rafa? "That’s not gonna happen. You know why? My arms are not like his arms. It’s pretty simple."

Fed then explains that he once tried the capri trousers that became Nadal's trademark.

Of Nadal's injury-hit defeat to Marin Cilic last night, Federer says he wrote Rafa a note wishing him well and adds: "It's not nice to see a fellow rival and friend go out like that, we wish him well." 

10:57AM

Roger speaks

10:49AM

Game, set and match! Federer defeats Berdych 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 

Berdych misses a forehand, Federer bangs down a big serve out wide and then flicks away a forehand volley winner. It's 40-0 and three match points. Berdych nets his return, and Federer is through to the semi-finals. He'll play Hyeon Chung on Friday in what is his 10th Australian Open semi-final. 

10:47AM

Federer* 7-6, 6-3, 5-4 Berdych (*next server)

A brilliant volley and then a skidding, deep return move Federer to 15-30 and within two points of the semi-final. Berdych though reels off the next three points - the last one an excellent flicked forehand on the run - to dig out the hold and force Federer to serve for a place in the semi-final. 

10:42AM

Federer 7-6, 6-3, 5-3 Berdych* (*next server)

Berdych has an opening in the game at 15-15 and with a simple volley to put away. He fluffs it into the net though, and from there Federer motors to a hold to 15. He's a game away from the semi-final; Berdych will serve to stay in it. 

10:38AM

Federer* 7-6, 6-3, 4-3 Berdych (*next server)

An ace out wide seals a love hold for Berdych. The crowd respond with big cheers, hoping the match can be extended a little longer. 

10:35AM

Federer 7-6, 6-3, 4-2 Berdych* (*next server)

After that flurry of breaks, Federer restores normal order with a love hold. The finishing line heaves into view. 

10:33AM

Federer* 7-6, 6-3, 3-2 Berdych (*next server) - Federer breaks

Perhaps not that surprisingly Federer shrugs off the disappointment of being broken by instantly breaking his opponent. He seals the break to 30 with an elegant backhand winner up the line. Berdych has the look of a man who's just been told his train has been cancelled. 

10:29AM

Federer 7-6, 6-3, 2-2 Berdych* (*next server) - Berdych breaks back

Oh Tomas, what have you done? Berdych is up 0-30 and misses an absolute sitter for 0-40 and three break points - hitting a simple forehand into the net. Great response from the Czech though, as he forces two break points at 15-40 with a solid forehand return, and then takes the first one with a low forehand return that Federer, up at the net, can't get anything on. 

We're back on serve in the second set. Is there still life in this one after all? Probably not, but a good effort by Berdych nonetheless. 

10:25AM

Federer* 7-6, 6-3, 2-1 Berdych (*next server) - Federer breaks

Berdych is a step slow all of a sudden - perhaps related to the injury timeout - and Federer is taking advantage, reeling his opponent to deuce from 40-15 with some bruising forehand hitting. The inevitable break point follows as Hawk-eye shows a Berdych forehand to be millimetres long. Berdych then pushes a forehand long, and Federer gets the break. That'll be that then you'd imagine. 

10:18AM

Federer 7-6, 6-3, 1-1 Berdych* (*next server)

Berdych is doing everything he can to put some pressure on his opponent, but Federer has all the answers. He flicks away a forehand winner on the run to complete another love hold. 

10:16AM

Federer* 7-6, 6-3, 0-1 Berdych (*next server) 

Federer lets Berdych off the hook a little with a missed volley at 15-15. Berdych gratefully receives the gift and holds to 15. 

10:12AM

Second set stats

Those winner and aces numbers for Federer are excellent. He was clinical as well on break points - 1/1 when serving and 1/1 when receiving. 

Berdych is back on court, and we're about to get under way again. 

10:06AM

Federer 7-6, 6-3 Berdych* (*next server) - Game and second set Federer

Federer glides to a simple hold to 15, and he's just a set away from the semi-final. Berdych isn't coming back from this is he? Especially as he's called for the trainer at the end of the set and is going off court for treatment, which suggests it's a groin issue. 

Federer just sits on his chair regally. 

10:04AM

Federer* 7-6, 5-3 Berdych (*next server) - Federer breaks

He hasn't been at his best today but that is absolutely superb from Federer. A breathtaking backhand winner up the line takes him to 0-30 and leaves Berdych gasping. Berdych dumps a backhand into the net soon after, and Federer has two break points at 15-40. Federer only needs one, chasing down a Berdych half-volley and swatting away a backhand winner. 

Federer breaks and will serve for the second set. 

9:59AM

Federer 7-6, 4-3 Berdych* (*next server)

Again Berdych is well in the game at 15-30. Again Federer slams the door shut. A forehand winner and two aces - the first off a second serve - secure a hold to 30. 

9:56AM

Federer* 7-6, 3-3 Berdych (*next server)

Impressive stuff from Berdych, who holds to love. Serves dominating just at the moment. 

9:52AM

Federer 7-6, 3-2 Berdych* (*next server)

 Easy hold for Federer to 15, helped along the way by a ninth ace. 

9:50AM

Federer* 7-6, 2-2 Berdych (*next server)

We've seen Berdych fade so many times in matches like these, and he's in trouble here after being taken to deuce from 40-15 thanks to a Federer return winner and a double fault. Berdych does eventually hold though, and we remain on serve in the second set. 

9:45AM

Federer 7-6, 2-1 Berdych* (*next server) - Federer saves a break point and holds

Berdych just can't believe what his opponent is doing to him. The Czech gets to 15-30 and looks all the world as if it's about to be 15-40, but Federer keeps himself alive in the point and eventually thumps away a forehand winner for 30-30. It's the same story on the next point, with Berdych again in charge, but Federer taking it - this time with a crosscourt backhand pass. Berdych though finally gets some reward as consecutive misses from the Swiss hand him a break point up advantage. But Federer responds in style with a backhand winner down the line to save it, and he grinds out the next two points to eke out another hold.

Berdych is playing really well, but he just can't catch a break. He looked crestfallen after missing that break point. 

9:39AM

Federer* 7-6, 1-1 Berdych (*next server)

The key for Berdych is recapture the aggression from the early stages, which dissipated a little towards the end of the set. He plays on the front foot this game, holding to 15 after a couple of well-placed first serves. How if you're Berdych do you put the frustration of losing that first set behind you? 

9:36AM

Federer 7-6, 1-0 Berdych* (*next server)

It's going to take a huge effort from Berdych to get himself back into this match. Federer is strutting around after nicking that opener, and he holds here to 15. 

9:33AM

Federer* 7-6 Berdych (*next server) - Game and first set Federer

Federer takes the tie-break 7-1 thanks to a sumptuous drop shot. After 57 minutes, the reigning champion is a set to the good. Berdych led 5-2 and missed two set points - including one on his own serve - and he will be absolutely devastated to be a set down. 

9:30AM

First set tie-break: Federer 6-1 Berdych* (*next server)

Brilliant backhand volley winner takes Federer to five set points. 

9:29AM

First set tie-break: Federer* 5-1 Berdych (*next server)

A netted Berdych backhand extends Federer's lead further. 

9:28AM

First set tie-break: Federer* 4-1 Berdych (*next server)

Berdych sends a forehand long, and Federer has the double mini-break. 

9:28AM

First set tie-break: Federer 3-1 Berdych* (*next server)

Berdych gets on the board after Federer nets an attempted backhand pass. 

9:27AM

First set tie-break: Federer 3-0 Berdych* (*next server)

Three points in a row for Federer in the breaker, sealed with a clinical put-away after a brutal first serve. 

9:27AM

First set tie-break: Federer* 2-0 Berdych (*next server)

Federer extends his lead when he forces his opponent to go long with a backhand. 

9:26AM

First set tie-break: Federer* 1-0 Berdych (*next server)

Federer claims an instant mini-break with unbelievable defence that ends with a forehand pass dropping onto the back-edge of the baseline. How on earth did Berdych lose that point? 

9:25AM

Federer 6-6 Berdych* (*next server) - Federer saves a set point and holds

Federer thinks he's aced to go up 40-0, but instead the serve is shown by hawk-eye to be out, and after he then double faults it's 30-15 instead. A forehand error and another double fault then hand Berdych a set point out of absolutely nowhere at 30-40. The Czech gets a good look at it, but he overcooks a backhand and Federer survives. An ace then moves Federer up advantage, but he wastes the game point with a forehand into the net. An ace and then a smash wrap up the hold moments later though, and we're into a first set tie-break. 

9:19AM

Federer* 5-6 Berdych (*next server)

A much needed love hold for Berdych to stop the rot. Federer will serve to stay in the set for a third time. 

9:17AM

Federer 5-5 Berdych* (*next server)

What a shift in momentum there's been over the last 15 minutes or so. Federer holds to love to make it three games in a row, sealed with a barely believable drop shot that he hits while running backwards. The reigning champion is purring all of a sudden. Worrying moments for Berdych. 

9:15AM

Federer* 4-5 Berdych (*next server) - Berdych misses a set point and Federer breaks back

First shout of  "allez!" from Federer after Berdych nets a backhand for 0-15. There's then a huge moment as Berdych thinks he's served a double fault to go down 0-30, but a correction from the umpire means it's called in, and Berdych gets a first serve. Berdych then plays a string of penetratingly deep groundstrokes to take the replayed point and level the game at 15-15. But consecutive errors from the Czech hand Federer two break back points at 15-40. Berdych just cracked there under the pressure of a couple of lengthy exchanges. Federer then challenges a Berdych serve that was called in. The Hawkeye graphics are not working so no-one can see what it says, but the umpire announces that Hawkeye showed the ball to be in. so Federer loses the point. He is not happy, and angrily asks the umpire Fergus Murphy "are you comfortable with this?" Federer then nets a forehand on the second break point, and we're back to deuce. But a Berdych volley flies long to hand Federer a third break point, which he celebrates with a scream of "Come on now!" Berdych saves it though with a drop shot that clips the tape and agonisingly dribbles over, before an ace down the T earns the Czech a set point. Can he close this out? No! Federer saves the set point with a backhand return winner up the line. And moments later Federer has a fourth break point chance after bullying his opponent with a bombardment of heavy forehands. This time, Federer takes it, as he wrongfoots Berdych with a brilliant backhand winner. 

What a game. We're back on serve, and still Federer hasn't lost a set this tournament. 

9:02AM

Federer 3-5 Berdych* (*next server)

Federer again falls down 0-15 after a forehand error but then ups the ante to reel off the next four points and hold to 15. Berdych will serve for the first set. How's your nerve Tomas?

8:59AM

Federer* 2-5 Berdych (*next server)

Federer has been irritable throughout much of the tournament, and he looks positively fed up here - Mats Wilander describing his mood as "grumpy". Three consecutive errors hand Berdych a 40-0 lead, and the Czech completes a love hold with a heavy forehand that Federer can't get back in play. 

Clinical so far from Berdych, and a misfiring Federer will serve to stay in the first set. 

8:56AM

Federer 2-4 Berdych* (*next server)

Federer holds to 15 and looks a little bit more comfortable. The highlight of the game is a balletic inside-in forehand that sends his opponent sprawling. 

8:53AM

Federer* 1-4 Berdych (*next server)

Federer flicks away a beautiful backhand pass up the line for 15-30 and to register his first really blockbuster shot of the match. It then looks for all the world as if Federer will move to 30-40 but he punches a regulation volley just wide. Wow, huge miss. Instead it's 40-30, and seconds later it's game Berdych after a thudding ace down the T.  

8:49AM

Federer 1-3 Berdych* (*next server)

These are really strange errors from Federer. He puts a forehand wide that you'd expect him to make in his sleep to fall down 0-15. The response is clinical though - four pin-point first serves see Federer rattle along to a hold to 15. 

8:46AM

Federer* 0-3 Berdych (*next server)

Clean as a whistle hitting from Berdych, flicking away a forehand winner crosscourt for 30-0. Eventually he holds to 15, with Federer looking strangely off colour. Berdych by contrast is positively bouncing to his chair. 

8:43AM

Federer 0-2 Berdych* (*next server) - Berdych breaks

Berdych has an early glimmer of break after Federer nets a backhand for 15-30. A  double fault then hands over a break point for the Czech at 30-40, but Federer saves it with a well-placed second serve that Berdych can only return meekly into the net. Federer then nets a forehand, and Berdych has a second break point chance. Can he take this one? Yes he can! Federer sends a backhand well wide, and Berdych gets his reward for a really aggressive and proactive returning game. 

Perfect start for the Czech. That's only the third time all tournament Federer has been broken. 

8:37AM

Federer* 0-1 Berdych (*next server)

Steady first service game from Berdych as he seals a hold to 30 with a big ace down the T. 

8:35AM

Ready? Play

There used to be a bit of needle between these two after Federer hinted that injuries were part of the reason he suffered a four-set defeat to Berdych at the US Open six years ago. 

Back to the here and now. Berdych, wearing a backwards cap and looking like a 32-year-old playing a teenager in a film, will serve to get us under way...

8:27AM

Players are out

Huge roar for Federer as he follows his opponent onto the court. After the pre-match pleasantries and knock-up, we'll be under way. 

8:22AM

Memory lane

I remember the first time I ever saw Berdych play live. It was the Wimbledon 2010 quarter-final on centre court, and his opponent was the reigning champion Federer. What followed was a fearless display of huge hitting from the then 24-year-old Berdych, who claimed a shock four-sets win. At the time, it seemed only a matter of time before Berdych went on to win a grand slam, especially as he defeated Novak Djokovic in the next round to reach the final. As it has turned out though, Berdych has not reached a slam final since, and has never quite shed the 'nearly man' tag.

Federer by contrast has added three more slams since that Wimbledon meeting eight years ago - including two in 2017 - and with Rafael Nadal exiting the tournament yesterday, he's the huge favourite to add another one here on Sunday. 

8:00AM

Preamble

Morning all,

A couple of days ago I would have seen this match as a bit of a formality. Federer leads the head to head 19-6, he’s won the last eight meetings, and he’s, well, Federer. 

After the last couple of days though, nothing seems so certain anymore. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have both suffered big upsets, while Kyle Edmund has made the semis and the unheralded Tennys Sandgren achieved a minor miracle in reaching the quarter-final. 

Maybe there is hope for Berdych after all. If we’re looking for positives for the Czech then a glance back at a couple of his meetings with Federer last year do provide a glimmer of hope.  In Miami, Berdych was superb and came within a point of beating Federer, only to lose in a final set tie-break. At Wimbledon meanwhile, the pair’s semi-final was a lot closer than the straight-sets scoreline suggests. (Let's overlook the absolute shellacking Berdych was handed by Federer on this very court 12 months ago.) 

Of more immediate relevance, Berdych comes into the match in great form, having thumped Juan Martin del Potro  and then Fabio Fognini in the last two rounds. 

Clutching at straws? Perhaps. What we do know is that the winner of this will play the unseeded Hyeon Chung in the semi-final for which either Federer or Berdych would be the big favourite. 

A 20th grand slam title is agonisingly close for Federer, while a win for Berdych today would see him take a major step to only a second ever slam final, and first in eight years. 

The players will be on court at 8.30am GMT. 

7:45AM

Chung Hyeon through to semi-finals

Chung Hyeon has become the youngest man to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam for eight years with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over fellow surprise package Tennys Sandgren.

This has been one of the most unpredictable men's tournaments for many years and Chung joins Kyle Edmund in making it through to the last four as an unseeded player.

At No 58, he is also the lowest-ranked man into the semi-finals at Melbourne Park since Marat Safin in 2004 but he went into the match as the favourite against 97th-ranked Sandgren, whose run to the last eight has been remarkable.

Sandgren had only ever won two tour-level matches prior to arriving in Australia, but with the spotlight has come attention on his political views.

After upsetting Dominic Thiem in the previous round, the 26-year-old denied he is a supporter of America's controversial alt-right movement but then subsequently deleted all tweets but one from his account.

7:43AM

Federer vs Berdych preview

Defending champion Roger Federer will shortly take on Tomas Berdych, and the 19-time Grand Slam champion has a 19-6 edge over the Czech player, including all four times they have played at Melbourne Park.

"We have had some good ones over the years going back all the way to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004," said Federer. Perhaps he will use that as motivation today - Berdych beat him in three close sets in the second round at Athens.

The winners on this half of the draw now know they won't have to face top-ranked Rafael Nadal for the title. Nadal retired with a right leg injury in the fifth set of his quarter-final with Marin Cilic on Tuesday.