Federer Tops Roddick on Way to Finals

Roger Federer moved within one victory of his 14th Grand Slam title, blasting Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 today to reach the Australian Open final. The second-ranked Federer outplayed Roddick—who’d trained specifically to play him and top seed Rafael Nadal—in every phase of the game, ripping winners from all over the court and even tallying more aces than the hard-serving American.

Federer, seeking his fourth Australian title, faces the winner of tomorrow's semifinal between Nadal and fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco. " I can start preparing for a leftie tonight," Federer said. The Swiss player is looking for his 14th Grand Slam title, tying the record held by Pete Sampras. (More Australian Open stories.)