The top ranked Roger Federer will not end a tournament on a final for the first time in 11 grand slams since Novak Djokovic ousted him with a definitive victory in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Friday.
It was clear this would happen someday, but nobody thought they will see a weak and breakable Federer at the Australian Open. "I definitely didn't play my best in big points," Federer said. "That's been sort of something that's stuck with me throughout the championship. But it happens. I've done it so many times it went my way. Unfortunately it goes the other way, too, sometimes" said Federer.
Federer's last loss in a semifinal was against the Spaniard Rafael Nadal during the 2007 French Open-Roland Garros. Since then he had won 34 semifinals on a row. He was trying to reach his 11th consecutive Grand Slam final and win his 9th championship.
"Of course, I've created a monster, so I know I need always to win every tournament," Federer said with a frown. "Winning every other week, lose a set and people say I'm playing bad. So it's my own mistake, I guess."
For his part, Djokovic went hard on Federer's backhand, challenged him in forehand crosscourt rallies and pounded the Swiss' second serves back hard and deep. Most importantly, the Serb wasn't just steady, but fired ace after ace in his first serves at Federer and went after every short ball.
"I was more patient and I didn't allow him to be aggressive and to play his style," Djokovic said. "I was the one who was in the control of the match, so I think I deserved to win. "It's amazing for the sport," he said. "I think the dominance of Federer and Nadal was just amazing the last couple of years. So I think it's great for the media, for tennis lovers all around the world, to see something new."
World No. 3 Djokovic has had a good climb up the ladder during the past year and has reached two semifinals and two finals. He also, hasn't lost a set during the Australian Open tournament. Although he's still away from surpassing Federer and Nadal, it's not impossible he could be No. 1 by the summer if he manages to beat the French new sensation Tsonga in the final.
