Attacking Melzer Ousts Federer

© AFP/Getty ImagesJurgen Melzer is through to his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final.

World No. 9 Jurgen Melzer earned his first win in four attempts over No. 3 Roger Federer on Friday at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters as he defeated the three-time runner-up 6-4, 6-4 for a place in the semi-finals.

The 29 year old is through to his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final and will take on fourth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, who earlier defeated Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in straight sets. He is bidding to become the first Austrian to reach the final at the Monte-Carlo Country Club since Thomas Muster won the title in 1996.

"It [has special meaning]," said Melzer. "I mean, I have beaten Rafa last year. I have beaten Nole [Djokovic]. So this was the one missing. I'm very happy I actually did it today."

Since reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open (l. to Murray) in his first tournament of the season, Melzer had endured a barren run of results prior to his appearance in Monte-Carlo, failing to win back-to-back matches in his following four ATP World Tour tournaments.

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However the Austrian, who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros (l. to Nadal) last year, has found his form on the clay again. After dismissing ninth seed Nicolas Almagro in the third round yesterday, he took his attacking brand of tennis to Federer with great effect on Friday.

With Rafael Nadal watching on from the stands, Melzer looked to be struggling early in the match as he required treatment on a back injury off the court. The left-hander fought through the discomfort, though, and broke Federer in the fifth game before going on to close out a one-set lead with Federer having faltered on four break point chances.

After being unable to convert two break point chances in Federer’s first service game of the second set, Melzer’s pressure on the Swiss told in the third game and he benefitted from uncharacteristic unforced errors to take a 2-1 lead. With the wind gusting on Court Central, Melzer was undeterred and denied Federer on three break back chances as he went on to close out victory in one hour and 44 minutes.

"It was a very good match from me," said Melzer. "It started to turn out to be tough conditions in the end because the wind really picked up. But I think I played a really good match without any mistakes. I tried to put the ball in the court and whenever I had a chance also be aggressive. Especially on break points down, I think I played well, putting a lot of pressure on when I actually had the chance. That was the key I think to success today. You have to take your chances and you have to be aggressive, especially on big occasions. I did today. I executed well.

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"Beating Almagro yesterday gave me a lot of confidence. I'm kind of climbing to the top of my game on clay. It's not Roger's most favourite surface, so this helped for sure."

Explaining his back injury, Melzer said, "I played a backhand. I kind of blocked my spine  But the physio, Graham, he did a great job unblocking it. I was a little worried. But then the pain like went away quickly, it didn't bother me at all."

Reflecting on his performance, Federer said, "I don't think I played terrible. I thought it was okay. Obviously, it was still the first week of clay, so I don't expect myself to play my very best. If I would, that would be a pleasant surprise. I think it's been a solid tournament. I think he played well when he had to."