Djokovic's golden opportunity

So much for a sophomore slump. Novak Djokovic, coming off his breakthrough season in 2007, has reached the Australian Open semifinals in convincing fashion. The Serb has not dropped a set, and he summarily dismissed a tough opponent, uber-retriever David Ferrer of Spain, in the quarterfinals to set up a blockbuster of a semifinal -- and a rematch of the 2007 U.S. Open final -- against Roger Federer.

While Federer was pushed to 10-8 in the fifth by another Serb, Janko Tipsarevic, earlier in the Australian Open, it's Djokovic who poses the biggest threat to the defending champion. Just four months ago, the game's resident clown did his best impersonation to date, acting like the best player in the world. Djokovic out-gunned Federer for much of the first two sets, but his inexperience on the big stage showed when he nervously squandered five set points in the first set and another two in the second.

In the crucible of competition, Djokovic choked. He pressed too hard when he realized he actually had a chance to beat Federer. In that mind-set, Djokovic started missing shots, which is out of character for him. He's usually money on the big points, with an unerring ability to tighten up his game and let his opponent implode.

But it was his first major final, his first big test. You can give him a pass. Now it's rematch time, and on no less of a big stage.

The big question will be whether Djokovic has learned from that U.S. Open final. My guess is that he'll play much more collected and clean tennis at crunch time. Unlike pretty much every other player on tour except Rafael Nadal, Djokovic knows that he has enough game to beat Federer without having to go outside of his comfort zone and take big risks.

That's not to say Djokovic isn't feeling the pressure of this moment, and the pressure of measuring up to his outstanding 2007 campaign. After he defeated Ferrer, a reporter asked him in the press conference, "Given that you would be a hot favorite against James Blake [the match between him and Federer was up next], in a funny sense would you rather play Roger in the semifinal?"

In other words, Djokovic would feel more pressure playing Blake, against whom he'd be the prohibitive favorite, instead of Federer, against whom he'd have nothing to lose.

Djokovic smiled. "Honestly, no, if you want an honest answer."

A year ago, Djokovic probably would have said "yes" he didn't have anything to lose against Federer, as he was an up-and-coming player, just another name among the likes of Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet and Tomas Berdych. Now he is firmly entrenched at No. 3. Now he is legitimately competing for Grand Slam titles. Now he has something to lose.

How Djokovic handles this pressure will determine, in large measure, how he does not only against Federer in Australia but also how well he performs all season long.

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