MELBOURNE - Defending champion Roger Federer humbled four-times winner Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 late last night to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open.
The Swiss world No 1 won a surprisingly one-sided match in 99 minutes after dominating the American with his impenetrable serve and winning virtually every
key point in a nerveless performance.
Eighth-seed Agassi was not far from his best, but Federer was able to grab one service break in each of the three sets and successfully fought off the few challenges the 34-year-old was able to mount.
Federer did not drop a single service game, powering down 22 aces and dominating the overall winners' count 46-13.
He won three of the four Grand Slams last year and is bidding to become the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993-1994 to win three consecutive Grand Slam events.
In the semis, Federer will play Russian No 4 seed Marat Safin in a repeat of last year's tournament decider.
Safin, twice a runner-up in Melbourne, became the first man through to the semifinals when he demolished Dominik Hrbaty 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in 90 minutes.
In the women's draw, former world No 1 Serena Williams tthrashed second seed Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-2 to join Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.
After a slow start to the tournament, Williams suddenly raised her game, beating the Frenchwoman in 71 minutes as the temperature rose to 33C.
Williams hardly raised a sweat despite the conditions and now plays Sharapova in the semifinals after the Russian teenager beat US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Williams has not won a Grand Slam title since her victory here two years ago.
She lost to Sharapova in the Wimbledon final last season, but snapped at suggestions that her game was declining.
"I don't have to win this tournament to prove anything," she growled. "I know that I'm one of the best players out here. I feel like I don't have anything to lose."
Sharapova, reaching the last four in Australia for the first time, fought back from a sloppy start to wear down fellow Russian Kuznetsova as both players wilted in the heat.
Sharapova, tentative and error-prone in the first set, looked to be in trouble when she lost her opening service game in the second set. But the 17-year-old staged a remarkable comeback, winning 12 of the next 15 games to grab victory.
"Mentally I just tried to tough it out. I thought this was one of the toughest matches of my life," Sharapova said.
Kuznetsova was at a loss to explain her sudden meltdown, but said the weather had not been to blame.
The women's quarter-finals were played in the hottest part of the day, with the centre court roof open.
But officials said the roof would be closed for the remaining centre-court matches, in accordance with their extreme heat policy.
Safin hit 33 winners against Hrbaty and said he was glad not to be playing in the baking sun.
Women's semifinals
4-M. Sharapova (Russia) v 7-Serena Williams (US)
1-L. Davenport (US) or 10-A. Molik (Aust) v 19-N. Dechy (Fra) or 12-P. Schnyder (Sui)
- REUTERS
Number 1 seed Roger Federer cruises into the last four after defeating Andre Agassi in straight sets last night. Picture / Reuters
MELBOURNE - Defending champion Roger Federer humbled four-times winner Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 late last night to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open.
The Swiss world No 1 won a surprisingly one-sided match in 99 minutes after dominating the American with his impenetrable serve and winning virtually every
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