Half of the top seeds in Brisbane made it through to the semifinals on Friday, as both 2015 finalists progressed towards a rematch. On the other hand, it was a bad day for the 2014 US Open finalists, who were both upset. The quarterfinals are done, so let’s take a look at what happened on Friday.
Results
Roger Federer (SUI) [1] d. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4
The defending champion survived his first true test of 2016, holding off a spirited effort from Grigor Dimitrov to reach the semifinals in Brisbane. Federer, who beat Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals last year, seemed well on his way to another easy win when he took the opening set without facing a break point and held a pair of break points midway through the second set. However, Dimitrov showed some heart, saving those break points and responding with a break of his own. Dimitrov led 5-3 in the second set when it was Federer’s turn to fight back. The Swiss recovered the break of forced a tiebreak, however Dimitrov was not to be denied and won the breaker to force a decider.
However, Dimitrov could not find a solution to the Federer serve. He did not reach break point again and when he was broken at 2-2, the match was all but over. He survived several match points on his serve at 3-5, but he was only delaying the inevitable as Federer advanced in just over two hours. Dimitrov did a good job to hold his own in the match, saving eight of eleven break points. Both men were strong on serve, but the Swiss was his dominant best at the net, winning twenty-seven of thirty-five points at the net.
Dominic Thiem (AUT) [8] d. Marin Cilic (CRO) [3] 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4
Marin Cilic seemed well on his way to setting a clash with Federer after converting both his break points in the opening set, racing to an early one-set lead. But twenty-two year-old Dominic Thiem upped his game in the second set, and did not allow the 2014 US Open champion a single break point. Cilic held of Thiem’s advances to force a tiebreak, but the Austrian took the tiebreak to force a deciding set. Again, both men dominated on serve throughout the set. They both managed to hold until the tenth game of the set, when Thiem timed his first break of the match perfectly, converting his eighth break point to break Cilic’s serve and seal the three-set win. It took Thiem the full two hours to manage his first break of the match, while Cilic never even reached break point after the first set.
Thiem, the youngest player in the top twenty, was very positive after the match, saying "[It] was a very good match from me. Today [was] a big test. [A] bad first set where he destroyed me, but then I'm really happy about the win." He will face Federer in the semifinals.
Milos Raonic (CAN) [4] d. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-4, 6-4
Milos Raonic threw down a powerful performance to reach the Brisbane semifinals on Friday, cruising past Lucas Pouille, who had upset sixth seed David Goffin in the second round. Raonic blasted twelve aces past his opponent, winning ninety-three percent of his first serve points. In the first set, Raonic only dropped three points on serve. He grabbed the only break he needed at 1-1 and held on to claim the set. Pouille would briefly find a solution to the Raonic serve in the second set, converting his first and only break point. But Raonic managed two breaks of his own and closed out the match with an ace. Raonic only lost two points on his first serve in the match. Afterwards, he spoke about his aggression, saying "I think yesterday I was being aggressive and coming forward. Today I thought I came forward as well, but I was probably more efficient."
Bernard Tomic (AUS) [7] d. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [2] 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
After the first round, Bernard Tomic was the only Australian left in the main draw. He continued to give the home fans something to cheer about when he upset second seed Kei Nishikori. Tomic came out firing in the first set, hitting nine aces a grabbing the crucial break to take the opening set. But his momentum did not carry over into the second set, as the 2014 US Open runner-up quickly turned the tables on the Aussie, breaking twice and racing through the second to force a deciding set. The momentum swings continued as, after Tomic held for a 1-0, there were three straight breaks of serve. When the dust settled, Tomic found himself with a 4-1 lead. He held firm, and served his way into the semifinals. Both men were solid on their first serves, while dominating their opponents second serves. Tomic finished with fourteen aces.
Tomic will hope to keep his dream run alive on Saturday when he takes on Raonic in the semifinals. The Aussie is well aware of the challenge he will face in the next round. "Now I play a player that's very different, very short rallies, one of the best servers in the world. I have to focus on my service games. If I can do that, I can have some chances against Milos."
The semi-finals will take place tomorrow with Federer taking on Thiem, while Tomic will face off with Raonic.