Federer record bid runs into del Potro

MELBOURNE – Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record bid faces another stern test when he meets South American number one Juan Martin del Potro in the Australian Open quarter-finals today.

Federer came from two sets down against Tomas Berdych to stay alive in the tournament, insisting he would emerge stronger. The Swiss also survived a five-setter at last year’s US Open before winning the title.
‘I hope it’s a good omen,’ he said.
Federer has a 3-0 record against del Potro, who burst onto the scene last year in astonishing fashion when he won his first four titles back-to-back and finished in the top 10.
The 20-year-old Argentine is unbeaten this season after winning in Auckland, and also made last year’s US Open quarter-finals where eventual finalist Andy Murray ended a 23-match unbeaten streak.
‘He played great at the Open. He almost beat Andy in the end in the quarters. I mean, that was really close and both were looking very tired. Who knows what would have happened in the fifth,’ Federer said.
‘He had a great run after Wimbledon. He won four tournaments in a row, two on clay and two on hard court. Kind of out of the blue. They weren’t the biggest tournaments in the world, but still, he was able to dominate some good players.’
Defending champion Novak Djokovic battled through a late-night match with Marcos Baghdatis to earn a meeting with American Andy Roddick, who has quietly moved through the draw in impressive fashion.
Roddick, revitalised by a change of coach, has dropped only one set so far as he seeks a first Australian Open title and his second Grand Slam after the 2003 US Open.
The 26-year-old has been largely ignored by media and is yet to play on centre court, but insists he has nothing to prove.’I’m not playing for anybody else to say something or write something. I think those days are done,’ he said, after making short work of Tommy Robredo in the fourth round.
Djokovic was hopeful he would not feel the effects of his 2:26 am finish against Baghdatis on Monday morning as heads into his second successive Grand Slam quarter-final with Roddick.The Serb, seeded third, downed Roddick in four sets at Flushing Meadow and said he would be ready for the American again here.
Federer is seeking to equal Pete Sampras’s record 14 Grand Slam titles after starting his first season without the top ranking since 2004.
He has reached the semi-finals at the previous five Australian Opens, winning in 2004, 2006 and 2007. – Nampa-AFP