Roger Federer himself speaks of "miracle". Switzerland, number 3 in world tennis, hit with adductors, qualified for the semifinals of the Australian Open, Tuesday, January 28, after having saved seven match points against the American Tennys Sandgren (6 -3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 [8], 6-3). "I was incredibly lucky today," says the Swiss. That one of victory, I didn't deserve it, but I'm here ... and obviously I'm very happy. One more episode in an extraordinary career.
7
Federer had to save seven match balls on Tuesday (with six direct faults from his opponent, a bit feverish) to win. It is not the first time that the Basle has to do so much. He also erased seven in 2003 at the Cincinnati tournament against Australian Scott Draper. This little miracle, however, does not constitute a record in Grand Slam. In 2013, John Isner had rejected twelve match balls! In pure loss, since the American had finally bowed (7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 10-8 against the German Tommy Haas.
Federer finds a way 🇨🇠@ rogerfederer saves seven match points to def. Tennys Sandgren 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (8) 6-3 and reach the #AusOpen semifinals for the 15th time. # AO2020 pic.twitter.com/B3Biy3q1Ez
- #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 202015
Winner in Australia six times, the Helvetian will play at the Rod Laver Arena its 15th semi-final in Melbourne. A new record in its statistics, ahead of the 14 of the American Jimmy Connors.
38
At 38, the man with 20 Grand Slams, already winner of the Australian John Millman at the end of the suspense in the 3rd round, continues to make resistance. In the Open era, only Jimmy Connors had already won two matches in five sets in the same Grand Slam by being older (39 years old in 1991 at the US Open). The former world number 1 is the 4th player over 38 to qualify for a Grand Slam semi-final after the American Pancho Gonzales, the Australian Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors.
46
A figure to make you dizzy. Federer will play his 46th semi-final in a major tournament in 63 participations since Wimbledon 2003. Or an attendance rate of 73% in the last four…
