January 24, 2012 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Switzerland’s Roger Federer defeated Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets at the 2012 Australian Open, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, and has qualified for the 30th Grand Slam semifinal in his career. Federer is set to face his longtime foe, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, in the quarterfinals for a chance to the Final Four Down Under.
"I’ve either been around for a long time or I’m lucky," Federer said. "I know how Juan Martin plays, he knows how I play."
Federer, already a four-time winner of the Australian Open, is seeking his 17th major singles title at the Open.
“I’m moving well, I’m serving well, I’m hitting the ball clean,” Federer said. “Today I thought on a very hot day with fast conditions, I was able to control the ball. I didn’t really struggle too much on his serve today for some reason. I was able to return great, and I think that was a big key. Then I think I was serving the right way, even though I didn’t have the highest first serve percentage.”
