Novak Djokovic's hopes for a second straight Australian Open title ended under a broiling sun Tuesday. With ice packs and massages failing to provide relief, third-ranked Djokovic looked increasingly woozy and had to give up while trailing 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2, 2-1, allowing No. 7 Andy Roddick to claim a spot in the semifinals. The 26-year-old American will face second-ranked Roger Federer, who moved within two victories of his record-tying 14th Grand Slam by routing No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 6-3, 6-0, 6-0. Federer, who owns a 15-2 advantage in previous matches with Roddick, ran off the last 13 games. “Playing Andy is always nice,” said Federer, 27. “We've had some big matches over the years and it's always a pleasure to play against him because he brings energy to the court with his serve and his character. It's nice to play somebody my age. Everyone's so young now.” After losing 15 pounds with a tough offseason workout regimen under new coach Larry Stefanki, Roddick looked quicker and his backhand stronger. The match left little doubt about the American's stamina on a day when temperatures hit 35 Celsius with not a cloud in the sky. While the crowd in the night match was definitely pro-Federer, with Swiss flags abounding, it began backing the increasingly dispirited del Potro. But nothing could stop Federer, who won 51 of the last 65 points and finished with 38 winners to a mere nine unforced errors. Everything was working for Federer, and his mix of speeds and spins was masterful. One service game in the first set summed it up - ace, backhand winner, forehand winner, volley winner, all in less than two minutes. As he served for the second set, a fan shouted: “You're perfect, Roger!” Not quite, but very, very good. The heat was slowly rising but wasn't a major issue in the opening match, when Vera Zvonareva ran off 11 straight games in a 6-3, 6-0 win over 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France to reach the semifinals for the first time in 25 majors. Seventh-ranked Zvonareva will meet fellow Russian Dinara Safina, who survived 11 double-faults and 36 unforced errors to beat Australia's Jelena Dokic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a match with 11 service breaks. It's the second straight Grand Slam semifinal for Safina - younger sister of 2005 men's champion Marat Safin - who lost to eventual champion Serena Williams at the US Open. Dokic's loss ended one of the tournament's most compelling stories: The former Wimbledon semifinalist was making her return to a Grand Slam after a three-year absence due to personal problems. Safina apologized to the crowd for beating the local favorite, who advanced through a wild-card play tournament and was ranked No. 187. “I hope that next time you'll be behind me,” she said. Dokic was happy with her performance. “There's nothing to be disappointed about,” Dokic said. “It's been a great start to 2009. I couldn't have asked for anything more.” The Australian Open has turned into a struggle for survival: Djokovic was the fourth player to quit in mid-match in two days. The 21-year-old Serb lamented his previous match ended at 2:26 a.m. Monday, so he didn't get to sleep until 6 and was unable to practice. He said he requested another night match. “Didn't really have time to recover,” Djokovic said. “Conditions were extreme today. It did affect more on me than him, as you could see. But, you know, that was the situation. I just have to cope with it. Really tried my best, but sometimes you can't fight against your own body.” He said he was cramping and sore. “Obviously, it's very disappointing way to finish my first Grand Slam of the year,” he said. “But you have to take the best out of it and be positive. There is still a long season in front of me.” Djokovic also retired in his quarterfinal against Rafael Nadal with a back problem at the 2006 French Open and his semifinal against the Spaniard at Wimbledon in 2007. Roddick dropped only two points in five service games in the second set, getting the first break of the match for a 4-3 edge. Meanwhile, Djokovic was wilting in the heat, draping towels packed with ice around his neck during changeovers. Clearly laboring, he lost his serve in the first game of the third set, double-faulting twice. He managed to break back in the second game with a perfect lob. Djokovic held in the next game but looked increasingly weary and shrugged toward his coach. A cold towel around his shoulders again after the game, he called for the trainer, who massaged his thighs with ice.
