Melbourne (AFP)

Seven match points ... against him and finally a victory snatched despite a tottering physique: Roger Federer really did just fine Tuesday against the 100th world Tennys Sandgren, but he will play well the semifinals of the Open d 'Australia.

His adversary, the Serbian title holder Novak Djokovic or the Canadian Milos Raonic (35th), will be known in the evening. The semifinal at the top of the women's draw took shape during the day and will pit Thursday the world No.1 Ashleigh Barty against Sofia Kenin (15th).

"I will have to play better in the halves, because if not, I'm sure I can go skiing!" Joked Federer at the microphone of Jim Courier on the court.

At 38, he was still very very scared before winning 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, and 3:31 of a funny combat, he who had already battled 5 sets and 4h in the 3rd round against the Australian John Millman.

"I was incredibly lucky today, I got better and better as the match went on and the pressure went down," admitted the Balois, who saved three match points at 4- 5 in the 4th set, then another four, including three consecutive in the tie break of this 4th round.

At that moment, "I said to myself + I believe in miracles +", he said, before admitting: "This one of victory, I didn't deserve it, but I'm here ... and obviously I am very happy".

The man of 20 Grand Slam titles had already saved 7 match balls before winning in a match against Scott Draper in Cincinnati ... in 2003.

- Rambo des courts -

This time he had a Tennys Sandgren in Rambo court mode in front of him. White and green camouflage shorts, sleeveless T-shirt from which bear hunter's arms and shoulders protrude with bare hands, green bandana tied around the forehead ... the American was there to fight. Only the scraps were missing, but long black adhesive strips ran down his left thigh to below the knee.

And the fight almost tipped over in his favor, especially since Federer was not at best physically.

"Sometimes you 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 women's draw, Barty, 23 and winner of his first Grand Slam tournament last year at Roland Garros, took his revenge on the Czech Petra Kvitova (7th) who had beaten her at the same quarter stage l last year in Melbourne before reaching the final.

- Kenin stops Jabeur -

And what revenge: 1h44 showdown including 69 minutes for the only first set!

"It was really amazing. I knew I had to be at my best against Petra and the first set was crucial," said the Australian.

Her future opponent Kenin has dismissed the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (78th) 6-4, 6-4 and will play for the first time at 21 years old a semi-final of the Grand Slam.

"It’s going to be a great game, I’m looking forward to it," said the Moscow-born player, who moved to New York as a child before moving to Florida.

She is the last still in the running of the 22 Americans entered in the main draw of this first Grand Slam tournament of the year. "I play for myself, I try not to think about the fact that I am the last American. But of course, it is an honor, a privilege. I am very happy to be where I am", she commented.

© 2020 AFP