OT- Australian Open 2018

[Drew]

Federer plays Chung tonight in what I actually think will wind up being a pretty decently competitive match. I assume Federer will win that and set up a Wimbledon 2017 Finals rematch vs Marin Cilic- where I once again expect Federer to win comfortably. Absolutely incredible at age 36 Roger Federer is still winning major tournaments.

On the women's side- I think the finals tomorrow will be pretty interesting. Halep vs Wozniacki- I'm cheering for the Woz. Always liked her, and this would be a big win for her career.

 

[Drew]

Federer into Aussie final after Chung retires

It took just over an hour for Roger Federer to fix an anomalous statistic in his extraordinary career.

Defending champion Federer moved to within one win of a 20th Grand Slam singles title on Friday night when Hyeon Chung retired in the second set of their Australian Open semifinal.

He was leading 6-1, 5-2 when the 21-year-old Chung quit because of blisters on his left foot -- or "blisters under blisters under blisters," according to his agent.

Going into the match with Chung, Federer had won six of his 13 semifinals at Melbourne Park.

After 1 hour and 2 minutes with the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena, he's now 7-7. (He's well above the 50-50 mark at the other majors -- 11-1 at Wimbledon, 7-3 at the U.S. Open and 5-2 at Roland Garros.)

"I've played with blisters in the past a lot, and it hurts a lot. And at one point, it's just too much and you can't take it anymore -- you can't go on," Federer said. "That's why this one feels bittersweet. I'm incredibly happy to be in the finals, but not like this.

"He's played such a wonderful tournament, so credit to him for playing so hard again today."

Federer's conversation rate is better in finals in Australia -- the only time he lost a championship match was against Rafael Nadal in 2009.

Go. Roger. Go!

 

[Jimdish255]

A tennis player who gets blisters gonna have a tough time.

 

[Chin Diesel]

A tennis player who gets blisters gonna have a tough time.

Much like a fighter whose eyelids and eyebrows split open on a single hit.

 

[Drew]

I love Roger so much. Absolute class. What a match this morning. Feel for Cilic but what a moment for Roger. Congrats on 20!