Roddick and Federer ease home to set up cracker

AMERICAN Andy Roddick and defending champion Roger Federer will meet in the Australian Open semi-final after enjoying straightforward victories at Melbourne Park.

World number one Federer booked his place after easing past Tommy Robredo 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 in the late match at Rod Laver Arena.

Roddick, the big-serving number six seed, was the first through after he put close friend and compatriot Mardy Fish to the sword 6-2 6-2 6-2 in an hour and 27 minutes.

Squaring off in the sunshine on centre court, the former high school chums were anything but friends as Roddick signalled his title aspirations in emphatic style. Taking the first set in just 29 minutes, he was all class as he cantered away to a 4-0 lead early, on the back of two service breaks.

After a nervy start, Fish began to make a few more shots and managed to save face by holding his next two service games. However, this only delayed the imminent first-set victory to the American former world number one, who sealed it with the first of three set points on his own serve.

Carrying his blistering form through to the second set, Roddick landed another early blow after breaking his opponent’s service game straight away to edge ahead 1-0. This time, though, Fish fought back and moments later he squared the score after breaking Roddick, the unlikely service break coming after his opponent double-faulted.

Sensing his dominant grasp on the match was being loosened, Roddick upped the ante and quickly proved too good for his rival. With the scores level on 2-2, the sixth seed proceeded to break Fish’s next two service games to easily claim a two-set lead.

To rub further salt into his opponent’s wounds, Roddick again broke Fish’s opening service game in the final set to put the result almost beyond doubt. Sensing victory just on the horizon, he continued to play aggressively, breaking yet again to go ahead 4-1 before easing down for the win.

Federer’s own progress may have not been as emphatic as Roddick’s, but the top seed appeared to play within himself against Robredo, only lifting his game as required during his two hours and 20 minutes on court.

Federer was looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Roddick and, despite an imposing 12-1 win-loss record against the American, said he would not be taking anything for granted going into the match.

Meanwhile, Nicole Vaidisova will face two-time champion Serena Williams in the women’s semi-finals after the pair overcame stern quarter-final challenges today.

Starting early at Rod Laver Arena in the sapping Melbourne sunshine, Vaidisova was the first player through to the last four after seeing off a brave effort from her unseeded Czech compatriot Lucie Safarova, 6-1 6-4.

Starting strongly, number 10 seed Vaidisova marched out to an early lead in the first set and never relinquished her hold on the match. After charging into the last eight following a shock victory over reigning champion Amelie Mauresmo, Safarova was unable to regain her winning touch.

Vaidisova strolled one-set lead in just half an hour, a clinical performance marred only by four unforced errors. Safarova proved a tougher nut to crack in the second set, her higher-ranked opponent stood up to the challenge.

After they traded breaks in the first two games, Vaidisova was momentarily rocked at 3-4 when Safarova amassed several break points. Defending her serve with some clever stroke-play, Vaidisova bounced back, breaking her opponent’s next service game before holding her own to take the match.

Speaking after making the second Grand Slam semi-final of her career, Vaidisova attributed her success to her big serve. With a showdown against Williams looming, the Czech insisted she was looking forward to it.

In arguably the toughest match on day nine, unseeded American Williams managed to claw her way back from the brink of defeat to overcome Israel’s Shahar Peer 3-6 6-2 8-6 in a thrilling encounter. Despite heading into the quarter-final match on the back of a stunning win over in-form Serbian Jelena Jankovic, Williams looked in trouble early as Peer converted a break point to take the first set.

But then Williams began to fire with two clinical service breaks en route to taking the second set.

After trading service breaks in the final set, Peer had the chance to serve for the match up 6-5 but Williams somehow managed to break back when it mattered most. The next game and another break sealed the victory.

Speaking after the comeback victory, the American said she was surprised she had won in the end.