Federer sets up meeting with Murray in the final

more images

more images

MELBOURNE - Roger Federer bulldozed into a record 22nd career Grand Slam final Friday as the Swiss top seed crushed 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to book a place opposite Andy Murray at the Australian Open.

Federer now stands a win away from his 16th singles trophy at a major - another record - but faces a stern test against Murray, whom he beat in the US Open final two years ago but narrowly trails in their overall series.

“Obviously I feel good about my game,” said the winner. “I didn’t expect something even close to this kind of scoreline, so it feels great.

“Crowds were rather on the quiet side towards the end because, you know, also they were a bit surprised I think how fast it went.”

Federer showed no mercy in less than 90 minutes against Tsonga, the French tenth seed who lost the 2008 title match to Novak Djokovic.

“I’m very happy, you always have to deal with the opponent and how he plays,” said Federer. “Sometimes he plays like you want, sometimes you have to battle and get the break you need.

“It’s nice to go through a match like this.”

The Swiss world number one seized the opening set in 30 minutes and took no longer to reach a straightforward two-set lead as frustration mounted for the Frenchman.

The pain increased for Tsogna the longer the rout wore on. Federer took another early break in the third set and doubled up for 4-1 on a double-fault from the nervous Frenchman.

Tsonga saved a first match point as he made a winning high return on a lob before going out on Federer’s second opportunity a point later.

“I was just a bit more tired after the first set,” said Tsonga. “It was tough to play against him today. He was really good, and that’s it.”

Federer’s victory was his 53rd in Melbourne against seven defeats for the three-time champion.

The Swiss lost the title match a year ago against Rafael Nadal,

Federer had the mental and physical edge over Tsonga, who played - and won - the first pair of five-set matches in his career this week.

Federer stands 4-6 against Murray, with the Swiss winning their last two matches, in Cincinnati and London in 2009.

“I feel a need (to win) for myself that I spent three weeks here and I don’t want to just give away a match.,” said Federer. “So I will make sure I will make it as hard, as tough as possible for my opponent.

“Hope I can play another good match.”

The Swiss top seed, with 61 career titles, has played semi-finals in 15 of his last 20 tournaments.

Earlier Friday, Serena and Venus Williams won a fourth Australian Open women’s doubles title, 6-4, 6-3 against Cara Black and Liezel Huber, the 11th crown overall for the siblings in the event at the majors.

Serena Williams can won a 12th individual Grand Slam crown on Saturday in the women’s singles final against Justine Henin.