MELBOURNE, Australia — Defending champion Roger Federer advanced to the Australian Open semifinals with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 win over Stanislas Wawrinka today in a mismatch that had all the intensity of a practice session.
Federer, aiming to become the first man to win five Australian titles, was playing in his record-tying 27th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal. He is into his eighth consecutive semifinal at Melbourne Park.
Wawrinka, seeded 19th, was playing at this stage for only the second time at a major. He struggled against Federer in the first all-Swiss quarterfinal at a Grand Slam. He had beaten Federer only once in seven previous matches.
Federer and Wawrinka combined to win the Beijing Olympics doubles gold medal for Switzerland and have been Davis Cup teammates. So meeting on such a big stage had challenges for both men.
“I play Stan obviously very different to what (Andy) Roddick or (Gael) Monfils or what other players might do against him. Clearly it’s not an easy match for him also,” Federer said. “I’ve been in so many quarterfinals, in this situation so many times before, that I have the experience and I have the game to, you know, be tricky for him.”
Wawrinka had only one look at a break chance against the 16-time Grand Slam winner, in the sixth game of the second set, and lost three straight points to let Federer off the hook.
Federer cashed in on five of his seven break opportunities.
Wawrinka received a code violation for smashing his racket into the ground, shattering the frame, after falling behind 2-0 in the third. His intensity picked up, but it was too late.
Federer next plays the winner of today’s later match between No. 3 Novak Djokovic and Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych. Federer’s last two Grand Slam losses have come against them — against Berdych at Wimbledon and Djokovic at the U.S. Open.
Li Na of China beat Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-4 to reach back-to-back semifinals a the Australian Open. Her next match is against the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
On Monday night, Rafael Nadal reached the quarters with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic.
