Kiefer survives marathon encounter

Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer is through to his first Grand Slam semi-final after outlasting France’s Sebastien Grosjean in a five-set epic today at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park.

A marathon four hours and 47 minutes was needed to separate the pair, including 96 minutes for the gripping fifth set, before Kiefer broke Grosjean for the final time, securing the match 6-3 0-6 6-4 6-7 (1-7) 8-6.

Kiefer now plays the winner of the Roger Federer vs Nicolai Davydenko quarter-final scheduled for tonight (Wednesday evening).

In a contest that ebbed and flowed all afternoon, Kiefer started the better, breaking Grosjean in the sixth game and confidently taking the opening set 6-3. The German was showing the all-court skills that once had him touted as a potential superstar, but Grosjean regrouped wonderfully behind his powerful forehand, as Kiefer collapsed into repeated error.

Only a half-hour was required for the second set demolition, but a change of shirt did the trick for Keifer at the start of the third, as he wasted no time in breaking the Frenchman’s serve twice to race to a 3-0 lead. Grosjean managed to recover one of the breaks, however Kiefer held on for 6-4 and a two-set to one margin.

The pair traded breaks in the fourth, but neither could gain a clear advantage over the other, bringing it to a tiebreak, where Grosjean proved too solid, taking it seven points to one.

The fifth set was a classic display of Grand Slam tennis, as both players fought valiantly to stay in the contest. Each suffered two breaks of serve early, only to recover immediately, before tempers frayed as the heat and fatigue took its toll.

In the 11th game, Kiefer complained loudly over a close line call, which was followed by Grosjean requesting the match referee after the German threw his racquet over the net. The plucky Frenchman rebounded to hold serve and push it to 6-6, but Kiefer’s advantage in serving first during the last set would be decisive.

He held serve for 7-6, and then placed Grosjean under enormous pressure, particularly on his second service. Grosjean saved one match point, but he couldn’t salvage another, succumbing in brave fashion, much to the delight of a victorious Kiefer.

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