Roger Federer is through to the semifinals of the Australian Open. The Swiss player could make history as the oldest player to win a Grand Slam if he is victorious in Australia. Federer fought hard in his quarterfinal victory over Tennys Sandgren. The match also had fans buzzing about the officiating. Umpire Marijana Veljovic, who officiated the match became a social media sensation overnight.
Who is this umpire in Federer match? pic.twitter.com/pn4UqkcNyt
— t (@TonyLupino) January 28, 2020
Match official wows fans during Australian Open quarterfinal match
Fans were left stunned by Veljovic beauty and youth. Even tennis player Eugenie Bouchard commented on the match official’s looks, calling her “super pretty.” Some fans joked that she was a distraction, while others wanted to find out more about her on the Internet. However, Marijana was unaware of all the buzz she was creating on social media. The official did not look flustered as she carried on her responsibility. During the match, Marijana penalized Federer after he used some foul language. Even after the 20-time Grand Slam champion complained about the penalty, the umpire did not change her mind, drawing even more praise from fans on social media.
the umpire in this roger/tennys match is super pretty 😍
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 28, 2020
Who is Marijana Veljovic?
The Serbian umpire received her gold badge in 2015. She has officiated two Grand Slam finals in her career. Veljovic served as the umpire at the 2018 Australian Open women’s singles finals and in 2019 in the Wimbledon women’s singles final. Marijana also officiated last year’s Fed Cup final. The match between Federer and Sandgren was very competitive. Sandgren had eliminated Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini before the match. They played out all five sets in a highly entertaining encounter. The Swiss player was lucky to win the match after he saved seven match points to win 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
(🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/h85DOrQwFW
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) January 28, 2020
Federer admitted after the match that he was lucky to qualify for the semifinals. “I was just hoping that maybe he wasn’t going to smash a winner. I think I got incredibly lucky today.” He continued his unbeaten record at the quarterfinal stage of the Australian Open. He has all won all his 15 quarterfinals matches in Australia. He will either face Novak Djokovic or Milos Raonic in the semifinals.
A potential match with Djokovic would see the Serbian as the slight favorite. The current world number two has a favorable 26-23 record against Federer. He has also won their past three matches at the Australian Open. Regardless of who he plays, the world No.3 said he needed to play better after his close match with Sandgren. With a few days to rest before his next match, the Swiss player is optimistic he can improve.
Federer at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Now the world no.3, Federer has a 5-0 win-loss record in 2020. The Swiss is currently having a run at the Australian Open where he ousted Steve Johnson 6-3 6-2 6-2, Filip Krajinovic 6-1 6-4 6-1, John Millman 4-6 7-62 6-4 4-6 7-68, Marton Fucsovics 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 and Tennys Sandgren 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-68 6-3.
Roger Federer will play Djokovic in the semifinal. The head to head is 26-23 for Djokovic.
The last time that they locked horns, Djokovic won 7-65 1-6 7-64 4-6 13-123 in the final in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.
Federer won 103 titles in his career: 47 on hard courts, 11 on clay courts, 21 on indoor courts, 5 on carpet courts and 19 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
