Speedy Gonzalez sets up showdown with Federer

FERNANDO GONZALEZ destroyed Tommy Haas to book his place in an Australian Open final clash with Roger Federer, and warned the world number one not to be complacent about beating him for a 10th time.

It took the Chilean number nine seed just 91 minutes to secure a 6-1 6-3 6-1 straight sets victory over Haas at Melbourne Park and set up a meeting with Federer, who enjoyed a one-sided semi-final win of his own against Andy Roddick.

The 26-year-old Gonzalez, beaten nine times by Federer including four defeats last year, is relishing his first grand slam final believing he is ready to give the Swiss master a tougher test.

“It’s a tough match,” said Gonzalez.

“He’s the number one player in the world by far and he’s the favourite. I lost many times [against] him but now I’m better. I’m playing much better now than the last time that we played and it’s only one match.

“I’m playing at a great level and I didn’t play long matches the last three matches. I’m almost 100%. I’m going to give everything that I have to try to win my first slam.”

Gonzalez’s electric forehand and his fast-paced high-risk style of play, have made him a big hit with Melbournians and he is determined to deliver more of the same in the final.

“I’m going to try to do the same thing that I’ve been doing, playing good tennis, [but] don’t do it too much, because [with] my forehand side I feel I can do whatever I want.”

Gonzalez agreed Federer is an inspiration to all players but said that will not stop him from trying to dethrone the world number one tomorrow.

“I’m playing the most important match in my life and he’s the best player of the last many years. He’s winning all the time but he has to lose some time. I’m going to try to do it on Sunday.”

Gonzalez made only three unforced errors against Haas and won 85 points to just 42 by the German and is delighted with his form. “I’m enjoying the tennis. I’ve been playing the last four months [at] a very high level and I feel that I’m not doing too much,” he said.

Haas said Gonzalez was in devastating form and compared the demolition to a match he played against Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the Davis Cup many years ago.

“When I got back to the locker room, I looked at the stats that I saw on TV. He had three unforced errors the whole match and 45 winners. Pretty much everything he touched tonight seemed to go his way.

“I felt at times that I didn’t even play badly. I played some pretty good tennis. Every time I tried to do something differently, he came up with the answer.

“That’s quite frustrating after a period of time. Each set you try to start well and maybe get a momentum going. He got on top of me every single time.

“I just have to hand it to him, tip the hat, and say ‘that’s too good tonight’. Nothing I could have done.”

While Haas was respectful of how his game was dismantled by the power of Gonzalez and predicted a “pretty good final” on Sunday but said it would be a “tough task” for the Chilean to topple Federer.

“If [Gonzalez] can maintain the level he showed against me and the last couple of matches the stats speak for themselves.

“If he can make very few unforced errors, play like he did tonight, I think it would be a good match, and we’ll see what happens.”