 | Slideshow |
 | Record performances Take a look at players who have won and put themselves in the record books at the U.S. Open. NBCSports.com |
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 | NBCSports.com |
Yet numbers don’t do justice to Federer’s flair.
He flicked passing shots right through tiny spaces left uncovered by the 6-foot-5 Ancic. One running forehand landed right on a line and drew a shrug from Ancic, as if to say, “What more can I do?” On another point, Federer waited until the last possible nanosecond, watching which way Ancic was leaning, before whipping a forehand winner. Federer broke in the second set’s opening game with the help of a backhand hit so forcefully Ancic stumbled to his knees when he tried to volley. And Federer broke in the third set’s opening game by returning a 130 mph serve right at the feet of a charging Ancic, whose half-volley found the net.
“If I keep up this sort of a performance, I don’t see myself losing,” Federer said. “But look: It’s Wimbledon. It’s the semifinals. You don’t want to underestimate anybody.”
It might be natural to underestimate his next opponent: Bjorkman is ranked 59th, is into only the second Grand Slam singles semifinal of his career and is better known for his prowess in doubles, having won eight major championships.
The volleying skills he puts to good use in doubles are a benefit on grass, but he also got some help from a tight Stepanek, who was cheered on by girlfriend Martina Hingis. Stepanek double-faulted three times when he served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set; he held a match point at 6-5 in that set’s tiebreaker, but netted a backhand.
In all, Stepanek double-faulted 12 times and compiled 56 unforced errors, 30 more than Bjorkman. When Stepanek missed a backhand return to end it, Bjorkman repeatedly spread his arms wide then folded them across his body, as though offering an embrace to each spectator.
“I didn’t really believe that I had any semifinals left in me,” said Bjorkman, who arrived at Wimbledon with a 6-11 singles record in 2006. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, a big surprise. I wanted to stay out there and hug everyone.”
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He’s waited nine years between Grand Slam semifinal appearances, since reaching that stage at the 1997 U.S. Open. Baghdatis only had to endure a handful of months, from his breakthrough at January’s Australian Open, where he lost the final to Federer.
Baghdatis converted all seven break points he earned against Hewitt and finished with a 53-29 edge in winners, pounding his chest and screaming after key points.
“In the middle of the second set, I start realizing that I’m, like, beating Hewitt. I’m one set up and two break points up against Hewitt, and I’m in the quarters, playing for the semis,” Baghdatis said. “So I start thinking a bit there, start choking a bit. The most important thing is that I got through.”
That he did, and now he’ll hope a pattern continues: At eight of the previous nine majors, the man Hewitt lost to went on to win the tournament.
Does Hewitt think Baghdatis can make that nine of 10?
“I don’t think win it, no,” Hewitt said. “I think Roger Federer’s going to win.”
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