As boxing enthusiasts say, “If it was a fight, they would have stopped it.” As often happens when Switzerland’s Roger Federer is on the court, the highly anticipated semifinal match between France’s Jo Wilfried Tsonga and the world’s top ranked player turned out to be a mismatch. Tsonga provided little resistance in the 91 minute 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 match that only served to showcase Federer’s abundant skills.

Tsonga’s unorthodox, go-for-broke, style was ineffective against the well-prepared 22-time Grand Slam finalist. What has become apparent in Federer’s remarkable tenure atop the world of Men’s tennis is that while other players compete to reach the next round, Federer has a two-week strategy that includes winning the event. At each level of competition, his play becomes more aggressive and more intense.

The 28-year old has certainly played opponents with less talent than the very athletic Tsonga, but he reduced Tsonga to seeming like “just another player.” The winner did so by unveiling devastating groundstrokes that revealed Tsonga’s most basic flaws and by eliminating Tsonga’s return with pinpoint serving.

Tsonga tried everything. Heroic net rushes, crushing forehands, deft drop shots and blistering serves only served to show how very skilled the game’s greatest player has become.

After the match, Federer delivered a subtle message to his final round opponent Andy Murray saying, “I think it’s easier with the top players if you get them in the first set.” In other words, Andy, you had better get me early or you won’t be catching up.

After being broken twice in the first set, Tsonga charged out of the second set gates. He negotiated a tough hold in his first service game, finishing off with back-to-back aces.

With Tsonga serving at 2-3, Federer broke through with a bullet-like backhand drive followed by a heart-stoppng drop shot that made it pretty clear that enough was enough and it was about time to move on to the next round.

Tsonga offered little resistance in the third as Roger gained breaks four and five en route to a 31 minute set. Federer struck 33 outright winners and recorded an unheard-of 13 unforced errors.

Of course, the Swiss star had no double faults and landed 64% of his first serves, winning 84% of those serves. It really does not get much better than that.

Tsonga may have been struggling from two five set matches reaching the semis. He was fortunate to get past Serbian former Australian Open Champion Novak Djokovic who was troubled by stomach cramps.

It will not be this easy for Federer in the finals. A very prepared and well-rested Scot awaits the contest.

Murray has the weapons, speed and mindset to hold off Federer’s 16th Grand Slam Championship. At least the number one will know he has been in a dogfight.