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Federer relieved to keep streak going


 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 13:03

The Swiss maestro recovered emphatically from losing the opening set after which he reeled off 13 consecutive games to form the foundation of his 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.

Federer, who will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last-four after the Frenchman won his repeat of the 2008 final against Novak Djokovic 7-6 (10/8) 6-7 (5/7) 1-6 6-3 6-1, said: “I was in a tough situation – I knew I wasn’t looking very good.”

He added: “But that’s the beauty of best of five sets. I wasn’t panicking even though I maybe would have lost the second set had I lost another point there at that stage.

“I just relaxed and thought if his level drops just a little bit the whole thing might change for the better and it did.

“I couldn’t believe the way it changed. I’m happy the way I was able to go on an incredible run.”

Davydenko had beaten Federer in their previous two meetings and last week declared the top players were scared of him.

The 28-year-old Russian looked like backing up those confident words early on as he rolled to the first set with two breaks of serve in 34 minutes.

Federer took a toilet break at the end of the set but it did not slow Davydenko’s momentum as he grabbed another break and was 15-40 ahead on Federer’s serve.

But the Swiss responded in the style of a champion to hold serve and begin a run of 13 consecutive games that sucked the life out of Davydenko’s challenge.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.