2011 Australian Open – Day 9

Roger Federer (2) seemed to be on cruise-control as he defeated fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka to advance to the semifinal round.  Federer looked as if he were playing an exibition match with the variety of shots he attempted – and made.  Wawrinka was outclassed from the start, nowhere to be seen was the confidence and grit which took him past Andy Roddick just a round before.  Not the Wawrinka played poorly – Federer simply stole the show.  This was the Federer who has won 16 Grand Slam titles, the one everyone wants to see against Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

Before Federer can get to the final match, he will have to get past Novak Djokovic, who beat Tomas Berdych in straight sets to advance to the semifinal showdown.  Djokovic beat Federer in the last Grand Slam semifinal, the 2010 US Open, and also in the semifinals of the 2008 Australian Open, which he went on to win.  He has lost only one set in this tournament and is sure to come out attacking against Federer.

The top-seeded woman, Caroline Wozniacki, had a fight on her hands from Francesca Schiavone (6).  Schiavone, who was expected to wither after playing the longest match in women’s Grand Slam history on Sunday, came out attacking.  Looking fresh and fit, Schiavone hit 14 winners in the opening set to take an early lead.  Wozniacki, who lost that 1st set despite only making 7 unforced errors, kept to her game plan and halfway through the 2nd set appeared to be finally wearing down Schiavone.   Wozniacki kept playing a consistent game, making only 15 total errors on the day, while Schiavone made 46.  In the clash of styles, the consistency paid off and Wozniacki advances to the semifinals.

The feel-good story of Andrea Petkovic (30) came to an end against No. 9 Na Li in straight sets.  Petkovic will have to wait another day to perform her Petko-dance again.