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It’s not like Roger Federer has got an easier opponent waiting for him in the Semi Finals – Novak Djokovic, the hottest thing in world tennis, but beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets, avenging that Wimbledon defeat and and coming out firing after another rain delay has got to have Federer pleased with the way he’s playing right now. In my opinion, the best performer so far in the US Open.

Doesn’t matter, straight sets or five sets, as long as you keep progressing in the tournament. Federer had his rough patch against Cilic earlier this week, but after destroying Juan Monaco in the fourth round Federer seems in the zone. He broke Tsonga very quickly in the first set, and that momentum stayed with him despite of the rain. Too good, too fast. Vintage Federer? Something like that.

Tsonga said prior to the match that he plays his best Tennis when his mind is clear and there’s nothing going on in there. I guess some of those demons were dancing around yesterday. Federer read his serve often and Tsonga couldn’t get a groove going, finding a comfort zone from where he could send those forehand missiles to Federer’s backhand.

It’s true, the Wimbledon match does come back into your mind, especially when he has a break point in the third. Very happy the way I’m playing and moving right now. Being haunted by the collapse at Wimbledon and the defeat in Canada last month didn’t play a factor. It was clear very quickly that Tsonga doesn’t have enough to push through and mount another comeback.

So next? Novak Djokovic. Federer has a 14-9 lead in the matchups between the two, including the four set win over the Serb at the Roland Garros, Djokovic’s only defeat in a Grand Slam this year. Djokovic beat Federer in Australia, straight sets. He has the edge today. Against Federer, and anyone else who might face him.

This year he’s really been able to step up. The biggest challenge in tennis. I’m up to it. Djokovic, against Tipsarevic and Dolgopolov found himself in trouble early, but managed to survive first set tie breakers in order to win in straight sets. I’m pretty sure he’ll be much more focused from the first moment against Roger Federer.

Whether Federer has enough great tennis and stamina to compete with the best Tennis player in the world today remains to be seen. He certainly hasn’t been in better form, or had a better chance to win a grand slam, all year long. And who know, it might be his last chance to win no. 17.