Federer fights back in grand style

After being a set down and 15-40 while serving in the second set at 1-3, Roger Federer was staring down the barrel, in the quarterfinal clash at the Australian Open. The Russian Nikolay Davydenko, coming on the back of a 13-match unbeaten streak, having beaten Federer in the process, was all over the Swiss master. But, Federer staved off the double break opportunity for Davydenko and then the rest as they is history. He went on a roll after that Federer, winning 13 games in a row, taking the second set 6-3 and the third 6-0. The 2hrs 36min match ended in favour of Federer at 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5.

But, the match started off in spectacular fashion as Davydenko didn't give Federer even breathing space. Federer struggled to hold the service in the first game, but conceded the break next time to and Davydenko raced to 4-2. He broke Federer again and then served out the set leaving the pro-Federer crowd at the Rod Laver Arena shell shocked. Federer was frustrated with himself as his shots were all over the place. Even his otherwise perfect service was in disarray, with less then 50% first serves in. Davydenko broke in the third game of the second set as well and the match could well have been his, had he taken the double break to go 4-1. But, he didn't and Federer somehow found his confidence back to get back into the contest.

As Federer started hitting the ball sweetly, it was Davydenko's turn to drop his game as he lost focus and did what Federer was doing for set and a half. Federer wasn't complaining and he broke Davydenko in the first game of the fourth set and took a 2-0 lead, before Davydenko finally managed to win a game. Just when it looked as if though the match was heading the World No. 1's way, Davydenko fought for his dear life and got the break back and levelled at 4-4. The see-saw fourth set had more drama to come as Federer broke the Russian again and got to matchpoint while serving for the match. But, even getting five good first serves in a row couldn't prevent Davydenko from forcing another break to prolong the match. Federer duly broke Davydenko for the third time and finished off the match without any more fuss. It was a sigh of relief for the Federer fans as his amazing unbeaten record of most consecutive grand slam semi-final appearances got extended to 23. But, it was so near and yet so far for Davydenko.