Major record-holder Roger Federer advanced to the US Open semifinals with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 victory over 12th-ranked Richard Gasquet, SPORT1 reported. The second-seeded Swiss player needed just 87 minutes to secure the win inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, firing 50 winners and 16 aces while facing zero break points against the Frenchman in front of 23,771 spectators.
Federer Controls Quarterfinal From the Baseline
“It was really a very good match by me,” Federer said after the victory. “I felt the ball really well and was always able to stay offensive.” The 34-year-old controlled the court throughout the encounter, dictating rallies and keeping Gasquet pinned deep behind the baseline. Federer won the New York major for five consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, though his most recent Grand Slam title came at Wimbledon in 2012.
Gasquet struggled to find a foothold against the relentless baseline pressure and precise serving of his opponent. The loss halts the French player’s run in Flushing Meadows, leaving Federer just two victories away from securing his sixth title at the tournament.
All-Swiss Semifinal Clash Against Stan Wawrinka Awaits
Federer will face compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals on Friday. Fifth-seeded Wawrinka reached the final four by defeating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in 1 hour and 47 minutes. Wawrinka, who also reached the Flushing Meadows semifinals in 2013, saved all but one break point against the 15th-seeded Anderson.
Anderson entered the quarterfinals following a straight-sets upset over third-seeded former champion Andy Murray in the fourth round. However, the 2.03-meter tall server committed nine double faults and struggled to counter Wawrinka’s groundstrokes during their quarterfinal meeting.
Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic Meet in the Lower Half
The tournament’s other semifinal features top-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia against defending champion Marin Cilic of Croatia. Both players secured their spots in the penultimate round during Tuesday’s matches at the Corona Park grounds in Queens.
The champion of the final Grand Slam tournament of the season will collect a record prize purse of 3.3 million dollars from a total tournament compensation pool of 42.3 million dollars.
