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Switzerland's
Roger Federer is supremely confident he has it all in place to join Novak
Djokovic and Australian Roy Emerson with the most Australian titles
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Only Marin Cilic stands
between Roger Federer and a 20th Grand Slam title as an injury-ravaged
Australian Open staggers to its Sunday final at Melbourne Park.
AFP
report continues: |
Australian
Open: men's final
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The
36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the years and attrition rate to
reach his 30th Grand Slam decider and a shot at his sixth Australian crown
while his long-time rivals have fallen by the wayside.
World
No.1 Rafael Nadal, six-time champion Novak Djokovic and former winner Stan
Wawrinka succumbed to injuries, while five-time finalist Andy Murray didn't
even get to the starting line.
Yet
Federer is again still standing.
Cilic
overcame him on the way to winning the 2014 US Open final, but it is his only
win in nine encounters and the Swiss defending champion has glided to the brink
of another title without dropping a set.
Federer
is supremely confident he has it all in place to join Djokovic and Australian
Roy Emerson with the most Australian titles.
"It's
not about having to improve anything in particular," he said ahead of the
final.
"I'm
pleased that my game has been good from the very beginning of the tournament so
far.
"I
mean, I've won all my matches without dropping a set. Things must be all right
if I haven't dropped a set and in the final."
Federer
was waved through to the final with an all-too-brief semi-final that lasted
just 62 minutes when South Korean youngster Chung Hyeon retired with severe
foot blisters.
Five
of Federer's six matches have finished on or under two hours and he has been on
court for a total of 10hr 50min, some 6hr 13mins less than Cilic.
"I
would have preferred a normal end (to the Chung match), yes. But I must admit,
as well, you do take the faster matches whenever you can," said Federer.
"There's
enough wear and tear on the body, there's enough tough matches throughout the
season that when they happen, you take them."
But
he knows he faces a tough seasoned opponent in Cilic to win the big one.
"I
definitely think him winning the US Open has given him great belief he can do
it. If the big moments come about, that he can attain this level," Federer
said.
"I
like his attitude. He's very professional. He's always very much the same
regardless of whether he wins or loses.
"On
the court, he's a winner. He's there to win and not just to be there. I think
he strives for more."
- Really excited -
Win
or lose Federer will remain world No.2 behind Nadal while Cilic is ensured of
climbing from his current six to a career-high three.
Cilic,
29, has had a trailblazing tournament and is the first Croatian man or woman to
appear in a Melbourne final.
His
career high point so far has been victory at the 2014 US Open where, as the
14th seed, he swept past Federer in straight sets on the way to beating Kei
Nishikori in the final.
But
he was in tears when he gamely played on with a nasty blister on his left foot
in last year's Wimbledon decider against Federer, describing it as very tough
to deal with.
Another
opportunity to win a second Grand Slam quickly materialized when he toppled
injured Nadal in the quarter-finals and rising British star Kyle Edmund in the
semis.
He
says he is in a good space with his serve and forehand.
"I'm
feeling really good physically, even though I had a few matches that went more
than three hours," Cilic said.
"I've
played a great tournament so far, I'm playing much more aggressive, hitting
most of the shots really good. From the return, moving, forehand, backhand,
serving, I think everything is in a good, solid spot. Feeling really excited
about the final."
But on facing Federer, he added: "When it gets to the semi-finals, finals, he gets better and better and is playing great tennis. So with him it's always a big challenge."
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