Australian Open 2008 Day Twelve Review

Djokovic destroys Roger Federer 7-5 6-3 7-6(7-5)

2008 Australian Open News Day Twelve – Novak Djokovic continued his blistering good form at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday when he toppled the undisputed King of Melbourne and the number one in the world, Roger Federer, without dropping a set!

Granted, Federer was a shadow of his normal self, as he has been the entire tournament, but the three-time champion was simply outdone by pace – the pace of Djokovic’s returns, and the pace of the ‘Djoker’ himself around the court.

Djokovic has alluded to his self belief the entire week, and it showed. The number three seed never once looked vulnerable, and when he was in a tight corner he was able to produce cracking serves which left Federer bemused.

Federer, on the other hand, moved sluggishly around the court and, quite frankly, looked rather shell shocked, virtually from ball one. He made an uncharacteristic 32 unforced errors, battled with his service game, and generally looked flat-footed on court.

The final is going to be a real humdinger – watch out, ‘Young Guns’ at work! Novak Djokovic will face the new kid on the block, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Other Results from Day Twelve

• The Women’s Doubles Title was won by Alona & Kateryna Bondarenko of the Ukraine. They beat Victoria Azarenka (BLR) & Shahar Peer (ISR) (12) 2-6 6-1 6-4.
• Sania Mirza & Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) beat Nathalie Dechy (FRA) & Andy Ram (ISR) (8) 6-4 6-2 in the semi-finals of the mixed doubles.
• Tiantian Sun (CHN) & Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) (5) defeated Zi Yan (CHN) & Mark Knowles (BAH) (3) 4-6 7-5 10 – 6 in the second semi-final of the mixed doubles.