Melbourne (AFP)
Roger Federer, 3rd in the world, saved 7 match points before finally dominating the American Tennys Sandgren (100th) 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
The 38-year-old Swiss, visibly reduced physically, therefore had to replay 5 sets and 3:31 after the 5 sets and 4 hours in the 3rd round against Australian John Millman. He will face in the semi-finals the Serbian title holder Novak Djokovic (2nd) or the Canadian Milos Raonic (35th).
"I was incredibly lucky today, I got better and better as the game went on and the pressure went down," said Federer who saved three game points 4-5 in the 4th set, then another four, including three consecutive in the tie break of this 4th round.
"That victory, I didn't deserve it, but I'm here ... and obviously I'm very happy," added the Swiss who had already saved 7 match balls before winning, in Cincinnati against Scott Draper ... in 2003.
Especially since physically, it was not at best Tuesday.
"Sometimes we feel a little weird. I felt discomfort in my groin, my leg stiffened a little ... I don't like to call the doctor, I don't like showing my weaknesses", a- he commented.
In the 2nd and 3rd sets, Federer showed signs of nervousness and engaged in a discussion with the referee to whom he reproached for having given him a warning based on the words of a linesman.
In the process, he left the court with the physiotherapist at 6-3, 2-6, 0-3 for a medical time-out.
Exceeded in the 2nd and 3rd sets, the Swiss came out by miracle in the 4th, the round of all dangers where he therefore erased seven match balls, and by magic he took over in the 5th.
"I will have to play better in the halves, because otherwise, I will definitely be able to go skiing!", He joked at the microphone of Jim Courier on the court.
© 2020 AFP