Australian Open finalist Novak Djokovic felt he had Roger Federer’s measure right from the outset of tonight’s semi final, stunningly won by the Serbian world number three 7-5, 6-3, 7-6.
The straight sets defeat is the first inflicted on Federer in a grand slam since the 2004 French Open.
“I was feeling it from the first moment,” Djokovic said.
“I knew that I have to believe in myself (in) the first place, and I have to be positive on the court, not nervous, just to stay with him all the time, and be aggressive.
“I was more patient and I didn’t allow him to be aggressive and to play his style. So I was the one who was in the control of the match, so I think I deserved to win.”
The Serbian has been known to crack under pressure, most notably at last year’s US Open final, when he went down to Federer in straight sets. Tonight, Djokovic was steely, pulling out big serves on big points almost at will.
“I was able to deal with the pressure in the best possible way,” Djokovic said. “If you do that against the best player in the world, you should get the positive outcome.”
“In these important moments, especially in US Open, I wasn’t able to stay focused. I think I was more afraid of winning a set or a match, even though I think I played really, really well.”
Federer had earlier claimed that his limited preparation leading into the event had an impact on his performance, something Djokovic didn’t give much credence to.
“He was struggling with the serve. Why? Because I made a lot of pressure. It’s not because he was struggling.”
A new kind of pressure will fall on Djokovic in the final. The world number three will go in against unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the favourite and the more experienced player.
“Everything is going so fast for me. If you tell me at the start of last year that I will play four consecutive semi finals in grand slams and two finals, I would accept it right away,” Djokovic said.
“That’s no doubt.”
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