Roger Federer thumped old foe Robin Soderling 6-1 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters last eight to book a semi-final match with Novak Djokovic. The Swiss master was rarely tested by the Swedish fifth seed, who endured a forgettable afternoon against the man he upset in the French Open earlier this year.
Federer's win was not quite up the standard of his 6-4 6-4 7-5 victory over Soderling at the US Open last month, but in truth it did not have to be as his opponent suffered with the heavier conditions in Shanghai and his timing. The pair split the opening two games of the match before Federer won the next 10 as Soderling began to bleed games with worrying regularity.
Soderling held to prevent a whitewash in the second set, but he was put out of his misery in the seventh game as Federer polished off the match boasting 62 per cent success on his first serve. Federer completed his progress in 53 minutes and should be fresh to face Djokovic.
The Serb saved two match points in downing Federer in the semi-finals of the US Open last month. "Today was a quick match but tomorrow's against Novak will not be based on fitness, it will be in the details," said Federer. "It will be a bit more tactical, with more rallies, and more interesting," added the Swiss, who will be seeking revenge for the epic five-set defeat by the Serb in the U.S. Open semi-finals last month.
Djokovic, who won the China Open in Beijing on Monday, was hopeful of downing Federer again. "I just need to focus on my game. If I play as well as I have done recently, I think I have a good chance," he said.
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