Federer expected more from Davydenko

Roger Federer expected a tougher semi-final test before easily reaching his sixth consecutive Grand Slam final as he closed in on a third straight US Open title.

The world’s top player, from Switzerland, and top seed made his victory over Russia’s number seven Nikolay Davydenko look effortless as he swept into the final with a 6-1 7-5 6-4 win at Flushing Meadows.

It made Federer only the sixth man to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year, and only the second man in the Open era, following Rod Laver’s feat in 1969.

Federer awaits the winner of the second semi-final between American ninth seed Andy Roddick and unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

Federer said: “I’ve had some tough matches with him (Davydenko). I’ve lost a set on four occasions, I think. At the Australian Open match this year, it was really close against him so I expected something similar.

“But I came out, played really well and I hope I can keep it up for one more match now.”

Davydenko went into the second Grand Slam semi-final of his career with an unenviable 0-7 record against Federer, with their last meeting coming in the Australian quarter-finals at the start of the year.

That match went to four sets, with the Russian winning the second, but Federer approached this meeting in New York much better.

“I played more aggressive this time around. I thought the surface allowed me to do that. I had a good start and stuck to my game plan.

“Today I felt if I returned well from the baseline I was better than him and that allowed me to play really good today.”

Davydenko quickly knew he would have to go to at least as far as in Australia if he was to spring the surprise of the year at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It took just 22 minutes for Federer to take the first set, as the Swiss star exploited Davydenko’s obvious discomfort.

Federer carved open the first break of serve in the second game, drawing the Russian in on his backhand and forcing an error with a sliced drop shot that found the net.

Even at that early stage, fatigue also seemed to be a factor, as the workaholic Davydenko, playing his tour-leading 77th match of year, cut a tired-looking figure.

He managed to hold serve in his next attempt to at least get on the scoreboard but he seemed to be suffering the effects of having fought back from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas on Thursday.

Federer broke again to go 5-1 up and served out the first set in the next game.

The Russian was beginning to show signs of life in the second set, adding some power to his game. But the plan suffered a setback as Federer broke serve to take a 3-2 lead.

At 40-0 down in the next game, there were all the signs of a repeat of the first-set surrender but Davydenko fought back and actually broke Federer to get back in the set.

It was only the sixth time in the tournament the world’s top player had been broken.

Davydenko saved a break point in the ninth game but could not hold serve two games later, and Federer closed out the set with a crunching forehand.

Federer seemed to have the match within his grasp after breaking the Russian in the third game of the third set, but Davydenko got back on serve in the sixth game.

However, the top seed immediately broke back for a 4-3 lead, and victory was within his grasp.

The Russian managed to save three match points in the 10th game but Federer converted his fourth to cap an efficient afternoon’s work.

Davydenko admitted Federer had just been too fast for him, particularly coming off a slower-paced match against Haas in the previous round.

“The quarter-final was too slow,” Davydenko said. “Today was completely different. He tried to play fast to the right and left. That was difficult for me running for the ball. Today was too fast for me.”

The victory in one hour and 43 minutes ensured a 26-hour rest period for Federer before he returns to Ashe on Sunday afternoon for the final, thus gaining another advantage over either Youzhny or Roddick.

He is 7-0 lifetime against Youzhny and 10-1 against the American.