Roger Federer insists he ‘believes’ he can win the 2020 Australian Open ahead of his semi-final showdown against defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Federer, 38, saved seven match points on his way to beating American Tennys Sandgren in five sets in a thrilling quarter-final on Tuesday.
The Swiss legend also went five sets with John Millman in the previous round, while Djokovic has enjoyed straightforward wins over Milos Raonic and Diego Schwartzman ahead of Thursday’s semi-final.
But, asked whether he believed he could go on to win the Australian Open for a sixth time, Federer said: ‘If I can get through a match like this, and a match like the Millman one, you do believe.
‘I only believe it’s over when it’s over. So I do always believe until it’s actually over and never before that.’
Federer and Djokovic have won 13 of the last 16 Australian Opens, with Djokovic winning the tournament a record seven times.
Asked why the pair have dominated in Melbourne, Federer said: ‘Conditions suit us here. It probably has something to do with court speed, we’re both comfortable here.
‘Novak goes on all these runs like I did for ten years. It helps when you start the year off with a bang and we have both been able to do that quite a few times.’
MORE: Novak Djokovic reacts to Roger Federer’s miracle Australian Open win and previews semi-final
MORE: Novak Djokovic fights back tears in Kobe Bryant tribute after setting Roger Federer clash
