Skip to main content

Federer and Murray through to semis

updated 8:46 AM EST, Wed January 23, 2013
Roger Federer (left) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga shake hands after their five-set quarterfinal match at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer (left) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga shake hands after their five-set quarterfinal match at the Australian Open.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Roger Federer beats Frenchman Tsonga in quarterfinals of Australian Open in Melbourne
  • World No.2 will play Britain's Andy Murray who enjoyed straight-sets win over Jeremy Chardy
  • Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer will contest other semifinal on Thursday

(CNN) -- Roger Federer is through to a tenth consecutive Australian Open semifinal after beating France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

The world No.2 fought off a gutsy challenge from the seventh seed to eventually prevail 7-6 4-6 7-6 3-6 6-3 in three hours 34 minutes to set up a clash with Britain's Andy Murray on Friday.

Sloane Stephens stuns Serena Williams

"It was a tough close for sure but whole match was tough," Federer said.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the men's singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday, January 27. Djokovic won 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2. Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the men's singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday, January 27. Djokovic won 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2.
Australian Open
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
>
>>
Photos: Australian Open Photos: Australian Open
Martina Navratilova takes on Pat Cash
Tennis stars take on the quick fire quiz
Djokovic: 'My dreams came true'

"You never know what Jo is going to come up with ... I feel a bit lucky to come through, but I felt I played some great tennis and it was a pleasure to play against Jo tonight because he played great too."

Tsonga fought back twice from being a set down and saved four match points, but as so often, Federer prevailed in the deciding fifth set, breaking the Frenchman in the fourth game before going on to serve out the match.

Federer won the last of his four titles in Melbourne against Murray back in 2010 and is relishing facing the Scot again.

"It will be extremely tough. It was great to have seen him play such a great year last year and finally get his first slam, and the Olympic gold was an amazing achievement after a tough loss in the Wimbledon final. I'm looking forward to it. He's a great guy and a great player," Federer said.

Earlier, Murray dispatched Jeremy Chardy in straight sets 6-4 6-1 6-2 to reach his fourth consecutive Australian Open semifinal.

The world No.3 overpowered the unseeded Frenchman -- who knocked out Juan Martin del Potro in the third round -- in one hour 51 minutes.

"Today was the best I've played so far," Murray said afterwards.

"I struggled in my last few rounds and I knew he'd beaten some top players. I knew I had to be sharp. I moved well today."

World No.1 Novak Djokovic and Spain's David Ferrer will meet in the other semifinal on Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
updated 7:29 AM EDT, Wed May 1, 2013
She towers above him, but she can't do without him. Meet the man who has made Maria Sharapova the world's wealthiest female athlete.
updated 11:11 AM EDT, Mon April 22, 2013
When Maria Sharapova underwent shoulder surgery five years ago, many thought her tennis career wouldn't last.
updated 8:58 AM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Nine-year-old Rebecca Suarez stunned onlookers when she was pulled out of the crowd to team up with Del Potro against Nadal.
updated 5:15 PM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Janko Tipsarevic is of the belief that his fellow professionals aren't doping -- or at least not on a widespread basis.
updated 10:29 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska are hoping to take their relationship to a new level by emulating tennis' most famous sisters.
updated 9:24 AM EDT, Tue March 26, 2013
Open Court meets Poland's world No. 4 Agniezska Radwanska, who's making waves on the women's tennis scene.
updated 10:02 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
America's 18-time grand slam champion Chris Evert talks to Open Court about her career and training the next generation of players.
updated 9:44 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
CNN's Don Riddell speaks with 11-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal during one of his comeback tournaments in Mexico.
updated 10:11 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Germany's veteran star Tommy Haas opens up to Pat Cash about being away from family on tour, and his many injuries.
updated 7:50 AM EDT, Mon March 11, 2013
End of match
You'd think John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would be sick of the sight of each other, but their friendship has grown since that epic match.
updated 11:08 AM EST, Mon March 4, 2013
Almost a decade after Andy Roddick's sole U.S. Open victory, America is still waiting for its next male grand slam winner. What's gone wrong?
updated 11:21 AM EST, Thu February 21, 2013
Open Court's Pat Cash meets American No. 1 John Isner, who experts claim has the potential to win a grand slam.
updated 4:17 AM EST, Mon February 25, 2013
CNN's Pat Cash looks at who the next U.S. grand slam champion might be.
updated 10:45 AM EST, Thu February 21, 2013
CNN's Patrick Snell looks at how the famous couple is helping groom the next generation of tennis stars.
updated 5:09 AM EST, Mon February 25, 2013
With his sights set on the top, Ryan Harrison is the youngest player to win a professional match in 20 years.
updated 11:12 AM EST, Thu February 21, 2013
He's "Mac the Mouth" both on and off the court -- one of the most controversial and iconic players in tennis history, and he's still talking up a storm.
updated 6:31 AM EST, Tue January 29, 2013
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have transformed their careers since discovering a diet secret that is battling for mainstream acceptance.
updated 10:00 AM EST, Mon January 28, 2013
Novak Djokovic knew he was going to be a tennis star from an early age when growing up in war-torn Belgrade.
updated 8:25 AM EST, Thu January 17, 2013
Maria Sharapova
Nine women, a bold proposal and a $1 bill. That was what it took for women's tennis to begin a 40-year journey of self-empowerment.
ADVERTISEMENT