The New York Times-20080126-Beating Federer- Djokovic Has Look of Champion

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Beating Federer, Djokovic Has Look of Champion

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Novak Djokovic, a master of imitating the quirks and strokes of other tennis stars, did a fine impression of a champion Friday night by refusing to surrender even one set to Roger Federer, of all people, in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

It was the latest twist to a surprising tournament, but Federer's loss was not quite the press stopper it might have been if Federer had been at the peak of his powers here. Instead, enough bugs had crept into Federer's beautifully designed tennis machine over the last week for Djokovic's 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory to feel more like an upset than an earthquake.

There's no doubt I've played better in my life, that's for sure, Federer said.

Even with Federer looking intermittently flat and failing to get consistent depth on his ground strokes, this was still quite a psychological hurdle to clear for Djokovic, the charismatic 20-year-old Serb, who will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, an unseeded Frenchman, in the final Sunday.

Federer had reached a record 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals. He had won the past two Australian Opens and has won 12 major singles titles over all, two short of Pete Sampras's record.

He also had won five of six matches against Djokovic, beating him in straight sets in the final of last year's United States Open, a missed opportunity for Djokovic, who often looked edgy and squandered set points in bunches.

But young tennis players with extraordinary gifts have a way of maturing quickly, and with the pressure mounting Friday night, Djokovic held admirably firm in the final two sets, particularly in his own service games.

An indescribable feeling to beat No. 1 in the world, probably one of the best players this sport has ever had, the third-seeded Djokovic told the crowd. I'm very, very proud of myself.

The Australian public, accustomed to more self-deprecation from its champions, reacted with ambivalence to that final comment, but perhaps Djokovic's tendency to wear his confidence on his short sleeves is exactly what is required to stop a juggernaut like Federer.

He has been saying he intends to be No. 1 since he was a boy in war-ravaged Serbia trying to find a way to do justice to his talent. He has not stopped saying it since he joined the professional ranks, and matches like this one make it seem much more like a vision than a boast.

I think he made the more important points today, Federer said. It was a bit unfortunate for me, but he did play well and served really well when he had to.

Federer, however, did not. With both players clearly fighting through nerves in the early stages, Federer served for the first set at 5-4 and made three unforced errors in the final four points to allow Djokovic to get back to 5-5.

Serving to stay in the set at 5-6, Federer was broken again, missing a backhand pass he would usually rip cleanly, then producing another unforced error off the same side.

It was important to win that first set, Federer said. I didn't do it, and I paid for it.

In all, he would be broken four times in a hurry, as Djokovic jumped to a 5-1 lead in the second set, then held on tightly the rest of the way as Federer's tennis began to rise to a more familiar level. But the pilot light of Federer's game, his whipping forehand, kept flickering under pressure, even from midcourt, and Djokovic kept taking his time -- bouncing, bouncing, bouncing the ball -- and then pounding down big serves on big points.

Djokovic saved two set points in the third set at 5-6, then got to match point in the tie breaker with two more serves that Federer could not handle. The last rally ended with Federer smacking a forehand hard into the tape, with the sound dropping Djokovic to his knees.

It can't always go your way, I know that, said Federer, who looked more resigned than angry as his errors and Djokovic's winners piled up. I've won many, many times when I didn't expect myself to win. So tonight's one of those nights when you're a little bit disappointed.

Of course I've created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament. But semis is still, you know, pretty good.

When asked, Federer agreed that the case of food poisoning that cut significantly into his preparation for this tournament might have played a role in his defeat. Obviously the approach has been unique this year, Federer said. It's the first time I've been ill before a Grand Slam. I would still rather have it before than during, that's for sure.

After cruising through his first two rounds, Federer was pushed deep into a fifth set by Djokovic's Serbian compatriot Janko Tipsarevic in the third round. Tipsarevic received advice from Djokovic before the match and is still in contact with him, even though he is now snowboarding in the Serbian mountains.

I'll join him after the finals, Djokovic said.

The last man to beat Federer in Melbourne was Marat Safin of Russia, in the semifinals of the 2005 tournament. Safin then went on to beat Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the final, which was the last major final that did not involve Federer or Rafael Nadal.

But there will be new talent on the new blue court in Melbourne on Sunday: Djokovic and Tsonga, who stunned Nadal in straight sets in his semifinal.

I think the dominance of Federer and Nadal, as well, especially in the men's tennis was just amazing the last couple of years, Djokovic said. So I think it's great for the media, for tennis lovers all around the world, to see something new.

[Illustration]PHOTOS: Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5), to end Federer's streak of reaching Grand Slam finals at 10.(PHOTOGRAPH BY ROB GRIFFITH/ASSOCIATED PRESS)