Australian Open: Roger Federer sets up quarter-final showdown with Andy Murray
Roger Federer has equaled Jimmy Connors record by reaching his 41st Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: January 20, 2014 05:40 pm IST
Roger Federer set up a quarter-final showdown with Andy Murray at the Australian Open after a straight-sets victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday. Record Grand Slam champion Federer downed the French 10th seed 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in one hour 52 minutes in the fourth-round evening match on Rod Laver Arena. (Click here for latest on Australian Open)
Federer's comfortable victory over the 2008 Open finalist set up a rematch of last year's semi-final which Murray won in five sets. The Swiss great has now reached his 11th consecutive quarter-final at the Australian Open and equalled the record of 41 straight Slam quarters with American Jimmy Connors. (Nadal beats Nishikori in pre-quarters | Murray tested)
Federer's quarter-final with Tsonga went to five sets in last year's Australian Open but the Swiss sixth seed was always in command with his aggressive display, dominating the net exchanges to win in straight sets. (Azarenka storms into quarters | Halep floors Jankovic)
Federer has now won four of their six Grand Slam meetings and has never lost against Tsonga at a hardcourt Slam event. Federer broke Tsonga's service three times, and only had one break point against his own serve.
He won 88 percent of his first-serve points and more than twice the number of winners (43) than errors (21), in a clinical performance. Federer also won 34 of the 41 net points, illustrating his plan to take the game to Tsonga.
"I thought I played really well tonight and clearly against Jo-Willy you have to bring your best game because he dictates play and I thought I did well dictating a lot of the plays," Federer said. (Related: Sharapova knocked out | Who is Sharapova?)
"Jo makes you play an aggressive game because if you don't he'll come and it's tough to pass him.
"Tactics worked well and we spoke about it before the match. I don't go unprepared into matches like I used to."