Federer, Wawrinka storm to Swiss showdown in NYC

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Richard Gasquet of France during their quarterfinals match at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 9, 2015. REUTERS

Former tennis players John McEnroe (R) and Michael Chang play an exhibition game against James Courier and Mardy Fish at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 9, 2015. REUTERS

Simona Halep of Romania celebrates after defeating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in their quarterfinals match at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 9, 2015. REUTERS

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka shrugged off the threat of rain to storm into the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday, while Simona Halep stood up for the younger generation to complete a women’s final four that will feature three thirtysomethings.

Moved from the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to Louis Armstrong to bring Federer’s match forward, Wawrinka appeared untroubled by the change of venue, needing just an hour and 47 minutes to repel big-hitting South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 6-0.

Second seed Federer turned in an equally economical effort, brushing aside Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-3 6-1 in a tidy 87 minutes to set up an all-Swiss semi-final on Friday.

The other side of the draw features a battle of the big men, with top seed Novak Djokovic taking on defending champion Marin Cilic.

“Emotionally it’s not so hard for me,” said Federer, who holds a commanding 16-3 advantage over his Davis Cup team mate and reigning French Open champion.

“But subconsciously, you know he knows what your preferences are, where you like to go and where you’re probably going to go,” he added

“That’s the weird part. I feel we meet each other somewhere in our minds before the point is being played out.”

Federer and Gasquet are both armed with elegant one-handed backhands but apart from that aesthetically pleasing stroke, there were very few similarities in their lopsided contest.

The 17-time grand slam winner could hardly miss and Gasquet all too often played the role of innocent bystander as the Swiss maestro uncorked 50 winners to a mere eight from the 12th seeded Frenchman.

Anderson, meanwhile, lacked the energy he displayed in a fourth round upset of third seed Andy Murray, allowing Wawrinka to dictate play for large stretches of the match.

The South African, who leans heavily on his serve, could manage just nine aces and one break point the entire match, which he was unable to convert.

“I’ve improved a lot over the past three years and feel much closer to his level now,” Wawrinka said of his compatriot.

“He is playing really well here so I will need to be at my best. He’s had some amazing matches and I know it will be a big challenge but I think I’m ready.”

Halep moved closer to a first grand slam singles title after edging Victoria Azarenka 6-3 4-6 6-4 to set up a meeting with Flavia Pennetta, who toppled Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova 4-6 6-4 6-2 to join compatriot Roberta Vinci in the last four.

Defying the odds, rankings and age, 33-year-old Pennetta and 32-year-old Vinci etched their names in history by becoming the first two Italian women to reach the semi-finals of the same grand slam in the Open Era.

With 33-year-old Serena Williams also in the last four, 23-year-old Halep will be conceding almost a decade of experience to her remaining challengers.

“Of course we are a little bit old for the age of tennis right now,” Pennetta admitted. “But we are here and still fighting.”

However, the dream of an All-Italian final will require some special magic, particularly from Vinci, who has the daunting task of facing three-times defending U.S. Open champion and world number one Williams.

Wawrinka fourth player to seal ATP Tour Finals spot

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates his victory over Kevin Anderson of South Africa during their quarterfinals match at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York September 9, 2015. REUTERS

French Open champion Stan Wawrinka has become the fourth player to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The world number five joins top ranked Novak Djokovic, fellow Swiss Roger Federer and British hope Andy Murray in the elite eight-man field for the November 15-22 tournament.

“I can’t wait to return to The O2. I reached the semi-finals the last two years and love playing there. The competition will be very tough as usual but I hope to go further this year,” Wawrinka said after setting up a U.S. Open semi-final with Federer.

The 30-year-old has won three titles this year, including a second grand slam trophy with victory over Djokovic in the Roland Garros final.

The chasing pack for the remaining four singles spots in the season ender include Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych, 14-times grand slam winner Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer.