Gonzalez hopes for Federer slip

Fernando Gonzalez insists Roger Federer “has to lose some time” as he prepares for tomorrow’s Australian Open final against the undisputed world number one.

The Chilean number nine seed is aiming to become only the second player to defeat the Swiss in a grand slam final, having lost every one of their nine match-ups on the ATP tour.

However, the 26-year-old could hardly be in better form, producing a near-flawless display to destroy Tommy Haas 6-1 6-3 6-1 in just 91 minutes in yesterday’s semi-final at Melbourne Park.

It earned him a place in his first grand slam final, while defending champion Federer will be contesting his 11th, having won nine of the previous 10.

“I’m playing the most important match in my life and he’s the best player of the last many years,” said Gonzalez.

“He’s winning all the time but he has to lose some time. I’m going to try to do it on Sunday.

“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.”

Gonzalez’s electric forehand and fast-paced, high-risk style of play have made him a big hit with the Melbourne crowd 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, don’t do it too much, because on my forehand side I feel I can do whatever I want.”

The Chilean made only three unforced errors against Haas and won 85 points to the German’s 42 and is understandably delighted with his form.

“I’m enjoying the tennis. I’ve been playing the last four months in a very high level and I feel that I’m not doing too much,” he said.

“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.”

But Gonzalez is under no illusions as to the task at hand, with Federer also in ominous form in his semi-final against Andy Roddick.

“It’s a tough match,” Gonzalez said.

“He’s the number one player in the world by far and he’s the favourite.”

Haas conceded 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 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’.”

While Haas was respectful of how his game was dismantled by the power of Gonzalez and predicted a “pretty good final” tomorrow 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.”