AO - Men’s semis - Djokovic v Federer

In just their 50th meeting, the two youngsters, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer did battle in the first men’s singles semi final on Night Eleven on RLA, 2020 AO.

The crippled Federer needed a long first game on serve to start this one like a hole in the head, but he had to endure it anyway.

Djokovic began nicely, winning the opening two points courtesy of Swiss mistakes. 

An ace was good, the netted forehand not so bright and two break points for the defending champion. Both saved, through Serb error and Swiss winner. Federer wasted three game points before holding with a forehand winner.

Three successive service breaks saw Federer surprisingly lead 3-1, and the problems for Djokovic became bigger when Federer consolidated, three aces contributing.

Djokovic was trailing 1-4 and 0-40, after a double fault, a Federer forehand winner, and Djokovic backhand error. 

Then the comeback. A Federer return error, an ace, and netted Swiss forehand. Deuce. Serve held on second game point. 

Federer’s love game took him to within a game of the set.

Djokovic held, after being down 0-30, leaving Federer to serve for the set at 5-3.

A double fault and 0-15. Backhand found the net 0-30. Forehand out of court 0-40. Three break back points. Forehand netted and the break. 

Djokovic back on serve, and it remained that way until 6-6 and a tie break, Federer surviving two break points in the eleventh game.

Djokovic won the opening point of the tie break, off the Federer serve. He was solid on his two serves, his backhand pass on the second point excellent. 

At 0-3, Federer won his first point with a forehand winner, but a netted backhand saw him fall to 1-4, with two Djokovic serves to come.

An ace for 5-1, and a run to the net then surprising incredible drop shot to bring up five set points. A return backhand winner down the line completed a stellar tie break and won the set 7-6(1).

Federer saved two break points in game two of set two, and another in game six. Games were on serve until Federer went to the line at 4-5.

At 30-15, Federer found the net with a backhand, but a service winner gave him game point. A netted Swiss backhand and deuce. Same again and set point. A brilliant running forehand pass from Djokovic for the set 6-4.

For five games of set three, deuce wasn’t visited. At 2-3, Federer served. A Djokovic lob won the opening point, but a Federer forehand winner, and two Djokovic forehand errors gave the third seed two game points. A Djokovic backhand winner, and Federer backhand error brought it to deuce. Federer hit the net with his forehand and it was break point. A Djokovic off forehand cross court winner confirmed the break and he led 4-2.

At 5-3 the defending champion served for the match.

Two aces for 30-0. A Federer backhand forced an error. 30-15. A Swiss forehand winner. 30-30. Djokovic brought up match point with a forehand winner. It was over when Federer hit the net with a backhand.

Novak Djokovic gave himself a chance to defend his title, winning 7-6(1) 6-4 6-3.