Roger Federer attempts to reach another Grand Slam final with Boris Becker
describing his new chip-and-charge return tactic as 'almost disrespectful' to
opponents.
Becker, now coach of Novak Djokovic, was talking about Federer's recent
strategy of standing right up to receive serve and then running in, after
hitting it almost on the half volley.
The German legend also said that in his day players would have smacked the
ball straight at Federer's body to try and warn him off a move known as the
SABR – Sneak Attack By Roger.
'It's
almost disrespecting the other guy's serve. Everybody talks about that's his
new strategy - he comes in. It's within the rules,' Becker told Sky.
'If he would have played a [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Connors, [Ivan] Lendl or
even me, we would have said: "Roger, in all honesty I like you very much
[but] I'll go straight at you. In my generation guys would not have accepted as
it is now."
Federer plays Stan Wawrinka for a place in the final, assuming there is no
repeat of the bad weather that hampered Thursday and caused delays.
When they got on court there was disappointment for Chiswick's Dom Inglot,
who lost his doubles semi-final with Robert Lindstedt 7-5, 6-2 to Frenchmen
Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Jamie Murray and John Peers were hoping to play later.
Wawrinka has begun to use the SABR, as he goes for what would be a third
Major inside two years, representing a late career surge that is not a complete
surprise to Federer.
'It took him a while to figure out exactly what his possibilities were. I
don't think he was a guy who always had enough confidence,' said the world
number two. 'I always thought Stan was a better player than he actually was,
but somehow something was holding him back. In practice he started working to
hit the ball harder consistently, and today he can bring the power on forehand,
backhand, and outserve almost anybody when he gets hot.'
Federer looked like he was playing an exhibition in crushing Richard
Gasquet in their quarter final while Wawrinka eased past Kevin Anderson, who
looked totally flat after his hard-earned success against Murray.
The two Swiss have looked more convincing than Novak Djokovic, who faces
defending champion Marin Cilic in the other semi-final.
Djokovic suffered a big upset against Kei Nishikori at this stage last
year, and will be trying to avoid the same fate when he plays the gangly Croatian,
who is only just emerging from the prolonged slump that followed his triumph
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