World number two Roger Federer looked to be at about the peak of his game which brought him 13 Grand Slam titles, easing past Andy Roddick in straight sets in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday.

Roger Federer of Swizterland returns the ball during the men’s singles semifinal match against Andy Roddick of the United States at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan. 29, 2009. Federer won the match 3-0. (Xinhua/Zhou Lei)

World number one Rafael Nadal now is hot favorite for his semifinal against countryman Fernando Verdasco on Friday, raising the prospect of a much-coveted seventh Grand Slam final between the world’s top two players and long-time rivals.

“I’d like to play Fernando because he’s never played a Grand Slam final before. I have an edge there. Playing Rafael is obviously, you know, more exciting because of the history we have played in so many Grand Slam finals,” said Federer, bidding to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles at the Melbourne Park.

“He is the best player in the world at the moment, it would make it a very intriguing match.”

Federer was in a class of his own, breaking the American seventh seed twice to take the opening set at 6-2. Roddick dropped serve in the eleventh game in both second and third sets, losing at 7-5, 7-5.

Federer, now in his 18th Grand Slam final, has not lost any of his three previous Australian Open final matches.

“I reached my 18th finals in Grand Slam. I’m very happy and proud about that. Like my consecutive semifinals I was also able to achieve, it shows how long I’ve been able to keep it up and stay in good shape, stay healthy.

“That’s really key for success, at the highest of levels. It’s nice to be at the same level as Ivan Lendl and the same as Pete interms of Grand Slam wins. I hope I can win the next one, too.”

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet