Federer powers past Anderson in Miami quarterfinals

Roger Federer made a blistering start in his Miami Open quarterfinal showdown against Kevin Anderson, racing to a 6-0 2-0 lead against a shell-shocked opponent.

Anderson, who had never lost an opening set 6-0 in more than 500 career matches, only won 10 points in the opening set. The seventh-seeded South African fought back in the second set, but could not stop Federer from closing out a 6-0 6-4 victory.

It is Federer’s first top 10 win of the season.

Roger roars into the semis ????

3-time #MiamiOpen champ @rogerfederer, beats Anderson 6-0 6-4 pic.twitter.com/cfsKjl5Y2U

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 29, 2019

Federer improves his season record to 16-2 and is now set for a semifinal showdown with Canadian Denis Shapovalov, a rising talent who is 18 years younger.

The 19-year-old Shapovalov earned his semifinal spot with a hard-fought 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2 win over American Frances Tiafoe.

“It’s definitely a matchup I have been looking forward to, I think, my whole life,” Shapovalov said of facing Federer.

“It’s going to be a dream come true to play him in such a big event over here, and the stakes are so high, semifinal match of a Masters 1000 against your idol. It’s just a dream come true.”

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Shapovalov has an 0-2 career record in ATP Masters 1000 semifinals, while three-time Miami champion Federer enters the match with a 48-16 record at this level.

“I’m just going to go out there, enjoy myself, just have a good time on the court and give it my all,” the No.23-ranked Shapovalov said.

“That’s all I can ask at this point. Obviously Roger is a really tough opponent, so it’s going to be a really difficult match. I’m just happy to have the chance to play him here in the semis.”

The other semifinal is also a battle between experience and youth, with defending champion John Isner facing Canadian qualifier Felix Auger-Aliassime.

At 33, Isner is 15 years older than his opponent.