Reuters
New York, Sept 10: Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka shrugged off the threat of rain to storm into the US Open semifinals Wednesday.
Moved from the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to Louis Armstrong to bring Federer’s match forward, Wawrinka appeared untroubled by the change of venue, needing just an hour and 47 minutes to repel big-hitting South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
Second seed Federer turned in an equally economical effort, brushing aside Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in a tidy 87 minutes to set up an all-Swiss semifinal Friday.
“Emotionally it’s not so hard for me,” said Federer, who holds a commanding 16-3 advantage over his Davis Cup teammate and reigning French Open champion. “I feel we (he and Wawrinka) meet each other somewhere in our minds before the point is being played out.”
Federer and Gasquet both employ one-handed backhands, but apart from that elegant stroke there were very few similarities.
Federer, 34, could hardly miss and Gasquet all too often played the role of innocent bystander in the 87-minute mauling.
The Swiss maestro uncorked 50 winners to a mere eight from Gasquet and the record 17-times grand slam winner has been looking like a new, improved, revitalised model of late.
“Since a few years now, or many years, I have tried to look at the big picture to hopefully still be playing at a high level at this age,” Federer said.
Anderson lacked the energy he displayed in a fourth-round upset of third seed Andy Murray, allowing the Swiss to dictate play for large stretches of the match.
The South African, who relies heavily on his serve, managed just nine aces and one break chance the entire match, which he could not convert.
“Obviously it was a big moment for me but I felt I did a good job of resetting myself and getting ready for this next match,” said Anderson. “But obviously wasn’t meant to be. Stan didn’t make it easy. He was swinging out, and I was just a step slow. I needed to be on top of my game.”
Wawrinka and Federer have clashed 19 times during their careers with Federer holding a sizeable 16-3 edge. “I think the past three years, for sure, I get closer to him (Federer),” said Wawrinka. “My level improved a lot. I’m playing better tennis. I will for sure need to play my best tennis. He’s playing really well so far.”
Results
Stan Wawrinka bt Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4, 6-0
Roger Federer bt Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
