Australian Open 2020: Roger Federer def Tennys Sandgren in epic escape, result

Roger Federer saw the end looming large – before producing the greatest escape of his career to power into the Australian Open semi-finals after saving an incredible seven match points.

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It was the Tennys match of Roger Federer’s nightmares.

But only Federer could weave magic like that.

The 20-time grand slam winner managed to snap out of what had all the makings of a bad dream to desperately keep his Australian Open hopes alive.

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It all looked over for Roger Federer as he struggled during his five-set epic. Picture: AAP

American enigma Tennys Sandgren had loomed as the tournament’s ultimate villain, but despite seven match point chances, failed to topple what had looked to be an uncharacteristically rattled Federer.

Federer – who needed just one match point to close out the match 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6(8) 6-3 – said for the second time in as many matches, he considered himself to be the luckiest man in Melbourne.

What we’ve seen today in Roger’s match is a miracle... but miracles happen sometimes with Champions because they never give up.

— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 28, 2020

“You’ve got to get lucky sometimes, I’ll tell you that,” he said.

“In those seven match points, you’re not under control. It might look that way, but I don’t know, I was just hoping that he was not going to smash the winner and you just keep the ball in play, if he does miss one or two, who knows what he’s thinking about?

“I think I got incredibly lucky today.

Sandgren produced some of the best tennis of his career – but fell short with the finish line in sight. Picture: Getty

“As the match went on, I started to feel better again. All the pressure went away and I just tried to play.

“I was a little lucky to get the break, and I served really well for most of the match but at the end especially.

“I don’t deserve this one, but I’m standing here and I’m obviously very, very happy.”

The 38-year-old not only had to stave off Sandgren, who is ranked 100th in the world, but a number of encounters with officials and medical staff.

At 0-3 down in the third set, Federer was cited for an audible obscenity and quickly took a medical timeout for a leg issue.

The normally unflappable Federer blew up at a line umpire after receiving a rare code violation. Picture: AAP

A linesperson cited Federer for the language, leading to a terse exchange between the Swiss great and the chair umpire.

“If you heard it so clearly, then why didn’t you call it?” he said .

“She’s (the linesperson) from Switzerland, yes?

“She’s sure (I said it), you’re not sure, but it’s the same distance? Give me a break, you know?`”

Roger Federer struggled with injury throughout the match – before finishing strong. Picture: Getty

The Swiss champion said sometimes “you feel a little bit funny”.

“It’s been a lot of tennis throughout my life,” he said.

“I was starting to feel my groin and my leg start to tighten up. I really struggled in defence. I don’t like calling the trainer – sign of weakness and all that stuff, and I try not to show it.

“The best is always when it’s a groin – you go off court and nobody knows what it is.

“At the end I was like, whatever, I’m going to have the extra treatment, people probably know I’m not 100 per cent … I just said ‘I believe in miracles’, there could be rain, there could be stuff, and I don’t know.

Do you believe in miracles? Roger Federer is into the final four at Melbourne Parke. Picture: Getty

“It wasn’t bad enough where I thought it was going to get worse. It was just stiff and tough, and just let him finish me off in style. And he didn’t do that. Incredibly lucky today, tonight … I don’t even know what time it is.”

It marked the second five-set win and great escape in three rounds for Federer, who defeated Australian John Millman late on Friday night.

He said not having to play until his semi-final on Thursday night would assist him.

“With these lucky escapes, all of a sudden you might play without any expectations anymore because you know you should already be skiing in Switzerland and actually not on the way there,” he laughed.

“So I’m lucky to be here and might as well make the most of it.”