Roger Federer has advanced to the final of Brisbane International 2014 after winning an enthralling battle against eighth-seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena on a sweltering Saturday afternoon.
The tournament’s top seed will now play his old foe Lleyton Hewitt for the title on Sunday.
“It’s going to be quite different against Lleyton. We’ll see more rallies from the baseline. That’s kind of what we’re both looking for more frequently, and that’s why it’s going to be interesting to see how it’s going to play out,” said Federer.
“We know each other very well, so both of us will find our groove and know what to expect from one another. I think we can really look forward to a good performance.”
Losing only three points on his serve in the first set, Federer looked in scintillating touch early, easily dealing with Chardy’s powerful game, and simply proving way too much for the talented world No.34 to handle.
With Chardy perhaps pressing a little too hard, Federer gained the upper hand with an early break and from that point simply maintained his ascendancy. Aside from the need to withstand some blistering forehands from the Frenchman, Federer was never really tested and closed out the opening set looking irrepressible
However, Chardy looked to have shaken off the shackles in the second set, and as it progressed, he gained in confidence, holding his serve with increasing ease and giving Federer something to think about with his pace and variety.
Aside from a wobble at 4-4 when he recovered to hold serve after two consecutive double faults, the Frenchman looked very much back in contention.
Federer continued to try and take the sting out of the Chardy game by not allowing the Frenchman space to wind up and keeping him on the backfoot with his penetrating groundstrokes. However, it appeared less effective now with Chardy finding the room to move and create some real damage.
An inevitable tiebreak ensued and this time it was Chardy who showed his class. Refining his game, especially on the forehand, the Frenchman applied some relentless pressure, eventually drawing an errant forehand from the top seed, which handed him a thoroughly well-deserved second set.
With Chardy continuing to provide more than ample resistance, Federer turned to his serve to keep him alive, time and again digging himself out of trouble with his pinpoint accuracy. He stuck around, and it was eventually Chardy who was the first to blink, handing Federer a break with a loose game at 3-4.
Once the door was opened, Federer charged through, taking the match with two consecutive aces and booking his place in the final alongside Hewitt.
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“My rivalry with him was pretty intense. Never nasty or anything, but just good matches. We’re total opposite from one another the way we play. I play with the one‑handed backhand; he plays his double‑handed. His attitude on court is totally different to mine.”
“I think that’s why it’s always an interesting matchup for both of us.”