Federer into Murray showdown, Serena slumps

Melbourne, Jan 23:
Roger Federer passed a five-set test from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Andy Murray, as Serena Williams was shocked by teenager Sloane Stephens.
The great Swiss needed all his coolness and concentration as he was twice pegged back from a set lead before taking it 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3, reaching his 33rd Grand Slam semi-final.
“It was a tough close for sure, but the whole match was tough,” he said. “Any set could have gone either way. It’s tough because you never know what Jo’s going to come up with.”
Facing Federer across the net on Friday will be Britain’s US Open champion Andy Murray, who hit top gear in his 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over unseeded Jeremy Chardy and is into the last four without dropping a set.
World number one Novak Djokovic, chasing the tournament’s first title hat-trick of the professional era, plays indefatigable Spaniard David Ferrer on Thursday after all four top men’s seeds reached the semis.
But in the women’s competition, America’s Stephens, 19, precipitated a result of seismic proportions when she knocked out a limping Williams 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to qualify for her first Grand Slam semi-final.
Williams, unbeaten since August and on the verge of returning to world number one, had been widely expected to win her third straight major title and was even eyeing the first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1988.
But the 15-time Grand Slam champion seized up with back spasms in the second set and Stephens took advantage, setting up a semi-final against defending champion Victoria Azarenka tomorrow.
“This is so crazy,” said Stephens, who once had a poster of Williams on her bedroom wall. “I think I’ll put a poster of myself up now.”
Williams, 31, said she was almost glad her tournament was over after rolling her ankle, whacking herself in the mouth with her racquet and finally suffering the strained back during a torrid time in Melbourne.
“Oh, my gosh, I’m almost relieved that it’s over because there’s only so much I felt I could do… Oh my gosh, it’s been a little difficult. I’ve been thrown a lot of balls these two weeks,” she said.(AGENCIES)

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