Tanzid Hasan stars as Bangladesh U-19 set-up semis clash with NZ in World Cup PAGE 13 FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 High Octane Djokovic Serbian powers past Federer to make record eighth Australian Open nal AFP what might be in store. MELBOURNE Then against the odds the 38-year-old, the oldest man NOVAK Djokovic shattered It’s never easy to play Roger. in a Grand Slam semi since the hopes of ailing rival Roger Jimmy Connors in 1991, broke Federer Thursday to sweep Obviously he was hurting. Djokovic on his first service into a record eighth Australi- You could see it in his game with an unbelievable Switzerland’s Roger Federer addresses the media after losing an Open final and move closer movement. Respect to him. backhand passing shot. to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles semi-nal of to his 17th Grand Slam crown. It’s unfortunate that he was The edge didn’t last long the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. (AFP) In the 50th instalment of not at his best with the Serb immediately hit- one of sport’s greatest rival- ting back to even it up. ries, the Serb shrugged off a – Novak Djokovic But the power and finesse Injured Federer tentative start to reinforce his of the Federer game was trou- recent dominance, showing bling Djokovic, who was on no mercy to the Swiss maestro at the semi-final stage in Mel- the back foot and was broken in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3 win. bourne after doing the same once more to go 4-1 behind. considered pulling He will play either fifth in 2008, 2011 and 2016. Federer had three break seed Dominic Thiem or sev- Federer, the 2018 cham- points to make it 5-1, but enth-ranked German Alexan- pion, came into the match Djokovic dug deep to fend out of the semi der Zverev in Sunday’s final, carrying a groin injury that he them off as he clawed back, but it will take a monumental picked up in his five-set, come- breaking once more as the the Sandgren match), was effort to prize another title from-behind quarter-final win Swiss was serving for the set. Swiss ace almost all right. After that, well, we from the 32-year-old. against Tennys Sandgren. It went to a tiebreaker didn’t push it. I didn’t prac- Of the seven Melbourne He was seen around Mel- which the second seed domi- retired for the rst tice. I took a day off the next finals Djokovic has made, he bourne Park before the match nated to pull off a remark- day,” Federer explained. has won them all. with tape on his upper right able turnaround in a set that time in his career Overall, he said he was If any extra motivation leg and there were even ru- Federer threw away. from a match satisfied with his performance was needed, winning on Sun- mours that he might pull out. Federer took a medical in Melbourne. day will see the Serb reclaim But that is not in the time at the end of it, appar- at the Open “At the end of the day I the number one ranking after 38-year-old’s nature – he has ently for a back issue, and he guess I’m very happy. I got to Rafael Nadal was sent packing only ever given up four walko- wasn’t moving as freely in the DPA be happy with what I achieved. in the last eight. vers in his long career – and second set. MELBOURNE It was the maximum to go to “Respect to Roger for com- the show was on. But he clung on until he get at this tournament, espe- ing out tonight when he was Djokovic was clear fluffed an easy shot at the net TWENTY-TIME Grand cially after the Millman and obviously hurt and not even favourite after beating to hand Djokovic set point at Slam champion Roger the Sandgren match,” he said. close to his best in terms of the third seed in every 4-5 and the Serb cracked a Federer on Thursday lost “Today was horrible, to movement,” said defending Grand Slam meet- top-quality crosscourt volley to long-time rival Novak go through what I did. Nice champion Djokovic, who is ing since Wimbledon to go two sets to one in front. Djokovic, missing out on a entrance, nice send-off, and into his 26th Grand Slam final. 2012, but in their Djokovic was pumped chance at a record eighth in between is one to forget “He started well at the be- 50th career clash it and Federer rapidly running Australian Open final. because you know you have ginning and I was pretty nerv- was Federer who ini- out of steam. Federer was quick out of a 3 per cent chance to win. ous. It was very important for tially set Rod Laver When the Swiss star was the gates, breaking Djokovic You know, got to go for it. You me to win that first set. Men- Arena alight. broken to go 4-2 behind in the early and missing out on three never know. tally I relaxed after that.” Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts as he plays against Switzerland’s The opening game, third, there was no way back as chances for a double break But once you can see it It was the fourth time Roger Federer during their men’s singles semi-nal match at the on Federer’s serve, lasted six his rival extended his winning on 4-1. However he then fal- coming ... it’s tough,” the Djokovic had beaten Federer Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. (AFP) minutes in an indication of record over him to 27-23. tered as he served for the six-time Melbourne cham- opener at 5-3 and lost all but pion said. one point in the eventual tie- “I think I overall played break after 63 minutes of play. all right. I know I can play The 38-year-old Swiss better. At the same time I then took a medical time-out also know I can play much No party for Barty as Kenin, Muguruza reach final to address an issue that had worse.” The 38-year-old also been bothering him in his expressed confidence that AFP the way to the tie-breaker. world number one and home quarter-final match against he could get another slam, MELBOURNE Muguruza, unseeded at a hope Ashleigh Barty 7-6 (8/6), American Tennys Sandgren. the last dating back to Mel- Grand Slam for the first time 7-5 to reach her first Grand He returned to the court, bourne 2018. He reached last UNSEEDED Garbine Mugu- since 2014, squandered two Slam final. but would not get another year’s Wimbledon final but ruza fought back from behind set points in the breaker while Moscow-born Kenin, 21, look at Djokovic’s serve and went down against Djokovic in both sets to defeat racquet- saving two more for Halep, the last American left in Mel- capitulated in two hours and in a five-set thriller, wasting smashing fourth seed Simona and then clinched it with a bourne, was the party pooper 18 minutes. two match points. Halep on Thursday and set up stop volley that Halep couldn’t once more. “I did believe there was “I do believe that (I can an Australian Open final with get back over the net. She had already brought something that could be done win another one or two surprise-package Sofia Kenin. It was the first set that Ha- the fairytale run of 15-year-old (in terms of playing a com- slams). I think by having the The Spaniard, a two-time lep -- also a former number Coco Gauff to an end in the petitive match) today, and year that I had last year, also Grand Slam champion, reached one -- had dropped all week fourth round with the aggres- also must have felt like at least with what I have in my game, her first Melbourne final with a and she reacted by mangling sive style of play that has be- it was probably not going to how I’m playing, I do feel that, tough 7-6 (10/8), 7-5 victory at a her racquet and slumped in come her trademark over the get worse. If it did, this would yeah,” he said. steamy Rod Laver Arena. her chair, shaking her head. past fortnight. have been my first retirement He also expressed hope The 26-year-old, who suf- The 28-year-old recovered Kenin looked shell- today,” Federer said. he would return to Mel- fered a calamitous drop in her poise and broke Muguruza shocked in the immediate af- The Sandgren match was bourne to have another go at form last season, is the first for a 3-2 lead in the second set, termath of her surprise defeat the second five setter he con- a seventh title. unseeded player to reach the before Muguruza broke back of home hope Barty, saying: tested to get to the semi-final, “You never know what the women’s final since Belgium’s and then held to make it 6-5. “She’s such a tough player, the first one being a four-hour future holds. But especially Justine Henin in 2010. Soa Kenin of the US (left) and Spaniard Garbine Muguruza celebrate Halep, so serene in Mel- she’s playing really amazing.