BY JAMES BECK
The bottom line was simply that Novak Djokovic was way too good for Roger Federer in Thursday’s Australian Open semifinal.
It was obvious that when Djokovic is playing at the top of his game, it doesn’t matter how well Federer plays. Or, for that matter, anyone.
Djokovic was definitely “on” the first two sets of a 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over Federer that finally gave the Serbian Wonder the edge in their 45-match rivalry.
FEDERER WAS HUMBLED FOR TWO SETS
Djokovic appeared to lose some of his razor-sharp focus at the start of the third set. And, for Federer, the match became more about avoiding embarrassment than actually winning. The Swiss great was humbled and pummeled by Djokovic the first two sets. Federer regained his tennis dignity in that third set as Djokovic appeared to lose focus and purpose. Maybe, Novak just didn’t feel like totally destroying Federer’s ego on this night. At any rate, Federer bounced back with a little help from Djokovic.
NOVAK’S FOCUS RETURNED IN FOURTH SET
But seven games into the fourth set with Djokovic holding a 4-3 lead, you could see the focus and determination return to Djokovic’s face and eyes. He hit a pair of amazing winners to put Federer’s serve in a hole at love-30. When Federer regained a bit of confidence, Djokovic smoked him with a pair of forehand passing shots for a service break and a 5-3 lead. Federer never got into the ninth game as Djokovic’s serve returned to dominance.
In the first two sets, Federer made the mistake of trying to out-hit Djokovic, and in the process over-hit far too often. Djokovic had the answer for everything Federer had in two of the most perfect sets anyone could play.
IS DJOKOVIC READY TO CHALLENGE THE RECORD BOOK?
If Djokovic can maintain even a shadow of how he played in those first two sets, the 28-year-old looks fully capable of achieving a Grand Slam in 2016 and challenging Federer’s record 17 Grand Slam titles before he turns 32 years old.
Or maybe even before he’s 31 years old. It just sounds impossible, but not if you got up in the middle of the night Wednesday night in the United States to watch this battle of greats of the game.
IT MIGHT ALL DEPEND ON NOVAK STAYING HEALTHY
Of course, it all depends on Djokovic’s body and his ability to avoid disruptive injuries.
You might say Novak is competing against Djokovic for his legacy. There doesn’t appear to be anyone in the men’s game at this point that could threaten Djokovic if he maintains his current level of play.
But then, the future is the future. There is still another match to win Down Under.
James Beck is the long-time tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper. He can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
