Federer reaches US Open semis

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Dealing well with the whipping wind and a familiar opponent, 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer served his way to a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory over fifth-seeded Robin Soderling on Wednesday night to reach the U.S. Open semifinals.

Federer accumulated an 18-2 edge in aces against the big-hitting Soderling and improved his career mark against the Swede to 13-1.

The lone loss had come in their most recent match, in the French Open quarterfinals this year. Soderling’s victory there ended Federer’s streak of reaching the semifinals at a record 23 consecutive major tournaments.

Federer then lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, too, prompting some to question whether his best days were behind him. But now he is back in the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament — one that he has won five times.

Earlier, Caroline Wozniacki, the top-seeded player, advanced to the semifinals with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Dominika Cibulkova.

Wind gusted up to 34 mph and played havoc with Wozniacki’s shots.

A messy, mussy night that included 43 unforced errors by the loser, which plays right into Wozniacki’s way of winning. She gets more balls back than anyone on tour these days. Her first five opponents have averaged 33 unforced errors.

“It felt like we were playing in a hurricane or something,” Wozniacki said. “But it was the same for both players. I’m happy to get through.”

Wozniacki hasn’t dropped a set in the tournament, getting past Maria Sharapova with a strong effort in the previous match.

Her semifinal match is Friday against No. 7 Vera Zvonareva, a 6-3, 7-5 winner over No. 31 Kaia Kanepi.

Zvonareva was perfectly steady — in her mind and with her strokes — and beat 31st-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-3, 7-5 in Wednesday’s first singles match.

Novak Djokovic was muttering to himself and gesticulating wildly during his 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-2 victory over 17th-seeded Gael Monfils of France in a men’s quarterfinal.

And, yes, Djokovic smacked himself in the head twice with his right hand — after winning a point.

But the 23-year-old Serb managed to figure out how to deal with the swirling wind that topped 20 mph, choosing tactics wisely — he won points on 40 of 59 trips to the net — and never allowing Monfils back into the match after a tight first set.

“It might be the case that [I’ve] developed,” 2008 Australian Open champion Djokovic said. “Over time, you get experience playing in the different conditions, different situations.”

He adjusted Wednesday, and he didn’t let the wind bother him nearly as much as Monfils did. It was Monfils who tried to get too fancy in the match’s fourth game.

As a ball headed toward him, Monfils jumped and brought his racket around his body and through his legs, when a regular swing would have sufficed. His attempt at a trick shot landed in the net.

“I was completely lost,” Monfils said. “Can’t serve. Can’t really use my forehand. You run for what?”