Superhuman Federer flirts with perfection to storm into final

By Bill Scott Jan 25, 2007, 11:40 GMT

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Andy Roddick of the USA in their men\'s semi finals match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday 25 January 2007. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Melbourne - Roger Federer went on the rampage against Andy Roddick Thursday, crushing the luckless American 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in a domineering semi-final rout at the Australian Open.

The flawless Federer secured his 13th victory in 14 matches against Roddick, with the challenger's lone victory coming in long- ago 2003.

Along the way, the top seed won 11 straight games and reduced Roddick to a psychological wreck as coach Jimmy Connors watched helplessly from the stands.

Roddick's empty victory over Federer in an unofficial exhibition less than a fortnight ago faded into oblivion as the Swiss stamped his continuing dominance on the frustrated American, who exploded in an outburst of profanity at one late stage.

World number 1 Federer tied a record set in 1934 by Jack Crawford by reaching seven Grand Slam finals in succession.

'Winning matches is the best thing, to break record, you never dream of it,' said Federer. 'I hope I can keep it up.

'I'm playing so well at the moment, I might as well take these victories along the way.'

The winner in who stormed through in one hour, 23 minutes with 45 winners and a dozen unforced errors was stunned:

'It's unreal, it's a joke, I'm shocked myself,' confessed Federer, bidding for a tenth Grand Slam title when he faces either German Tommy Haas or Chile's Fernando Gonzalez on Sunday.

'But the event is not over yet, let me try and do this one more time before we get excited.'

Federer, whose parents and sister are visiting from Switzerland, said that he didn't open a paper or watch any television in his buildup.

'I was expecting to see 50 aces from Andy going past. But I played incredibly well. I don't know what to say.

'Everything worked today, I played unbelievably. But Andy will get his chance back, I'm just glad I got this one.

'I did nothing today but focus on my game. It's about form on the day.'

In the women's draw, Maria Sharapova fulfilled her top seeding as she defeated Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-2 to set up a final against two- time champion Serena Williams.

Sharapova, winner of Wimbledon and the US Open, stands 2-2 against the American.

A shaky Williams came close to throwing away a 5-1 lead in the second set but somehow struggled past Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to reach a third final at Melbourne Park.

Williams, holder of seven Grand Slam titles, came to the event on an 81st ranking after playing only four times in 2006.

Clijsters waved an emotional goodbye to the crowd at the Rod Laver arena as she played her last match at the tournament. The 23-year-old is due to marry in the summer and plans to quit the game by season's end.

'I'm sad to be leaving,' said the Belgian affectionately dubbed 'Aussie Kim' when she was engaged to Lleyton Hewitt. 'I'm going to miss it here.

'It's kind of not really sinking in yet,' she added. 'I'm going to come back tomorrow and take my time to say good-bye to everybody.'

Sharapova came out on top in a roller-coaster opening set, punctuated by five breaks of serve.

The 19-year-old Russian took a 3-1 lead over the Belgian in the second set, saving a break point in the fifth game brought on by a sixth double-fault before moving ahead.

'I'm going to be playing against a player that didn't really expect too much coming into this tournament,' said Sharapova.

'She's playing some really good tennis. I think she has nothing to lose going into the match. Those are always dangerous opponents.'

Williams won the Melbourne title in 2003 and 2005, going out in the third round last year.

Williams advanced with 15 enforced errors and 23 winners. Vaidisova put her under pressure with a fightback from 1-5 down in the second which came close to succeeding.

Despite coming in without a seeding and 20 spots inside the Top 100, Williams said she expected nothing less from herself.

'I wouldn't say for me it's an astonishing achievement,' said the seven-time Grand Slam winner. 'I'm happy more than anything.

'It's not astonishing or surprising, it's definitely something I have always expected.'