BREAKING: Roger Federer will play against Novak Djokovic in Melbourne

After a quiet day on Wednesday and much drama about his practice schedule on Thursday, it has been confirmed that the 20-time Major champion and six-time Australian Open winner Roger Federer will compete against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final later today. The Swiss was in doubt after suffering a groin injury against Tennys Sandgren on Tuesday, battling with the American for three and a half hours and prevailing in five sets after fending off seven match points in the fourth set! Roger struggled in sets two and three, winning only four games in total and reducing the first serve speed, moving slower around the court to push Tennys to the verge of victory.

Nonetheless, Federer started to feel better in the fourth set, somehow saving those match points in the tenth game and the tie break and sealing the deal with a better performance in the decider, winning a match after repelling seven match points for the first time since 2003! Now, Roger will face an ultimate task on Rod Laver Arena, battling against the defending champion Novak Djokovic for the 50th time overall, 13 years after their first meeting here in Melbourne.

"After so many matches, you start to feel a little bit strange sometime; I felt pain in my groin and the leg started to tighten up, struggling with defense and having to call a trainer even though I never liked to do that and show signs of weakness. I went back on the court, hoping to give my all even though it was clear I wasn't at 100%. I just said, like, I believe in miracles, that could be rain or some other stuff. I let him finish me off in style but he didn't do that. I was incredibly lucky today but draws are not getting any easier. I have two days off now, I think I will feel better and you never know what will happen, especially after playing with no expectations because you know you should have already been skiing in Switzerland."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37GQoSr