MELBOURNE (Australia): Novak Djokovic leads Roger Federer in their overall meetings so far, but the veteran Swiss master will be a tough nut to crack in the Australian Open semifinal on Thursday.
Head-to-head
Federer: Age – 38; World ranking – 3; Prize money – $129,231,891; Career titles – 103; Grand Slam titles – 20; Australian Open best – Winner (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018)
The Swiss master is playing his 20th Australian Open and a record 15th semifinal at Melbourne Park, underlying his incredible consistency. But he hasn’t had an easy run this year.
The 38-year-old was two points from defeat against John Millman and saved seven match points against Tennys Sandgren. His never-say-die attitude once again showed his burning desire to win a seventh Australian title and 21st Grand Slam crown.
Djokovic: Age – 32; World ranking – 2; Prize money – $139,144,944; Career titles – 77; Grand Slam titles – 16; Australian Open best – Winner (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019)
Djokovic routinely rates the Australian Open his favourite Grand Slam and Rod Laver Arena is without question his most successful court, with a record seven titles to his name. Recognised as perhaps the best returner in the game, he has dropped just one set en route to the last four and is firm favourite to win a 17th Grand Slam.
Paths to semifinal
Federer
1st rd: bt Steve Johnson (USA) 6-3, 6-2 6-2
2nd rd: bt Filip Krajinov (SRB) 6-1, 6-4, 6-1
3rd rd: bt John Millman (AUS) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/8)
4th rd: bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 4-6, 6/1, 6-2, 6-2
Q-F: bt Tennys Sandgren (USA) 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3
Djokovic
1st rd: bt Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
2nd rd: bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
3rd rd: bt Yoshihito Nishoka (JPN) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
4th rd: bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x14) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Q-F: bt Milos Raonic (CAN x32) 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1)
