|
 Berdych was a potentially tricky quarter-final opponent for the
34-year-old Swiss, having beaten him the last two times they had
clashed at a grand slam.
But Federer won the crucial points to put himself into a position to
challenge for the 18th major title that he desires and which has
been just out of reach since 2012.
"It's part of the reason why I guess I'm still playing. I feel like
I'm competitive at the top. I can beat all the guys on tour,"
Federer told reporters.
"It's nice now that in the last three slams that I've been as
consistent as I have been."
Federer has made the final at the last two grand slams but lost both
to world number one Novak Djokovic.
His quarter-final performance, which included five breaks of serve
and 48 winners, would not have gone unnoticed by potential
semi-final opponents Djokovic or Japan's Kei Nishikori, who clash
later on Rod Laver Arena.
The Swiss has built steadily throughout his run at Melbourne Park
and the composed nature of his victories against the young pretender
Grigor Dimitrov in the third round and Berdych showed he would be
more than ready for a last four showdown.
Crucially too, he has not expended too much energy, dropping only
one set so far.
On Tuesday, several of his service games lasted around a minute,
with Berdych powerless against Federer's pinpoint delivery.
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Even when he was in trouble facing a potential break, Federer just
calmly took care of his side of the court and made Berdych scramble
under pressure and the Czech said he felt the Swiss was moving
impressively through the gears.
"I think he's still on a pretty high level, playing great tennis.
He's just proving how great a player he is, how difficult at this
time it is to play him," Berdych said.
"He was playing really, really aggressive, without any mistakes,
without any unforced errors. That's the way that he needs to play."
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Peter Rutherford and
Martyn Herman)
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