If, as Andy Roddick had suggested, the gap between Roger Federer and the rest of the tennis world was closing, the American was deeply deluded. The world number one put a shell-shocked Roddick firmly in his place with a clinical 6-4 6-0 6-2 execution to storm into the Australian Open final on Thursday.
Federer protected his aura of invincibility in devastating style to march into his seventh successive grand slam final, equalling the record of Australian Jack Crawford set in 1934.
"It's just unreal. I'm shocked myself, I don't know what to say," said the defending champion, who is in hot pursuit of a 10th grand slam crown. "I played incredibly well but the tournament isn't over yet so let's not get carried away."
Roddick had swaggered on to court with great expectations of narrowing his lopsided 1-12 career record against Federer as he beat the Swiss in an exhibition tournament just 12 days ago.
That dream was crushed in 83 brutal minutes. Fans were left gasping as it seemed whenever Federer touched the ball, it turned into an outrageous winner, shots that most of his rivals can only dream about. Roddick was left reeling when he lost 11 games in a row and no matter how hard he tried, it appeared as if he was facing an opponent from a different planet.
With almost nothing going his way, a frustrated Roddick sent his racket flying as he slammed a ball into the stands. As Federer ended Roddick's public humiliation with a forehand crosscourt winner, he dragged the cheering crowd to their feet. "It was frustrating, it was miserable, it sucked," Roddick. said.
"I caught an absolute beating tonight... apart from that it was fine." The display will no doubt leave the Swiss's potential final opponent, Fernando Gonzalez or Tommy Haas, to endure a couple of sleepless nights before Sunday's showpiece match.
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