Federer storms into Brisbane semis

Brisbane, Jan 9: Roger Federer Friday stormed into the semi–fils of the Brisbane Intertiol on Friday after routing Australian wild card James Duckworth 6–0, 6–1 in just 41 minutes.

After surviving a bit of a scare a day before against another Australian John Millman by dropping the first set 4–6, the World No.2 did not give any chance to Duckworth as he played close to flawless tennis.

“I was very happy the way I played,” said Federer. “I played aggressive, served well, and then especially on the return I kept the pressure on time and time again. Next thing you know, it was like I was running away with the score.”

The 33–year–old Federer will Saturday face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who has lost twice against the 17–time Grand Slam champion. He is now just two wins shy of 1,000 career match wins. IANS