MELBOURNE — Roger Federer ramped his game up another level in a clinically efficient 7-6(4) 6-2 6-4 win over sixth seed Tomas Berdych on Tuesday and advance to his 12th Australian Open semi-final.
Berdych was a potentially tricky quarter-final opponent for the 34-year-old Swiss, having beaten him the last two times they had clashed at a grand slam.
But Federer won the crucial points to put himself into a position to challenge for the 18th major title that he desires and which has been just out of reach since 2012.
"It's part of the reason why I guess I'm still playing.