Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych: Score and Reaction from 2016 Australian Open

Roger Federer will be playing in the Australian Open semifinals for the 12th time in the last 13 years after defeating Tomas Berdych in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4.

The Australian Open tweeted after Federer sealed the victory Monday:

Despite Federer's historic stretch of reaching the Australian Open semifinals a dozen times, the road has usually ended shortly thereafter. He's lost in the semifinals four years in a row and hasn't reached the final since he last won the tournament in 2010.

Federer will meet the winner of the match between Kei Nishikori and top-seeded Novak Djokovic for the right to play in the first Grand Slam final of 2016.

It wasn't smooth early for Federer, who allowed Berdych—the No. 6 seed—to take the first set to a tiebreaker. Once the tiebreaker started, though, Federer took over the match. He won the tiebreaker, 7-4, and the tennis world seemed to be heading for another five-set classic, per CJ Fogler of the Cauldron:

"

Federer - Berdych shaping up to be a 5 set classic

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 26, 2016"

ESPN Tennis noted that Federer has an absurd record when he takes the first set in majors:

"

Exactly 1 hr in & Federer closes out opening set 76(4). The Swiss Maestro is 268-13 when winning 1st set in Majors. pic.twitter.com/Ssku229b8Y

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 26, 2016"

Federer stormed back in the second set to win 6-2 and take a commanding lead. He notched 28 total points and connected on 10 more winners than Berdych (16-6).

Author Anne Lamott thinks the world is not right whenever Federer loses anything to anybody:

The second set was considerably shorter than the first one, courtesy of the Australian Open:

Federer trailed 3-2 in the third set and was on the verge of letting the match last longer. But despite trailing 40-15 in the sixth game, Federer won the next four points to draw level at 3-3. Federer put Berdych away by winning four of the last five points in the final game to secure his spot in the semifinals.

All tournament long, fans have been wondering whether Federer has enough left in the tank to win another major, and his last two performances, both straight-sets win, have shown that he's up to the challenge. 

And his two straight-sets wins could not have come at a better time, with Federer knowing he'll face a tough opponent in Nishikori or the reigning champion Djokovic on Wednesday.

Postgame Reaction

Federer has played in a lot of semifinals. This year's Aussie Open semi appearance will be the 49th of his illustrious career. He's had to have had some great coaching over the years to reach this point virtually every year, and that's what he credits that to.:

"I feel like I've had good coaching throughout," Federer said, per the Australian Open, "and the right coach at the right time"

He'll turn 35 years old in August, but there are instances, like in this match against Berdych, where he looks like he's not getting older. Dan Wolken of USA Today marvels at how great he's been:

The Australian Open also has Federer's complete postgame interview:

Federer could be awaiting Djokovic for the 45th time ever should the No. 1-ranked player in the world make it to the next round over Nishikori. Federer plans to observe that highly anticipated match and possibly just enjoy it.

"I think I’ll find some time for that," Federer said, per the Australian Open. "As a fan, it’s a great match.”