I dragged Roger out of comfort zone: Berdych

Tomas Berdych sent mighty Roger Federer spinning to his worst US Open defeat since 2003 on Wednesday and admitted he had succeeded by dragging the world number one out of his comfort zone

Five-time champion Federer, buoyed by a seventh Wimbledon title this summer which gave him a 17th Grand Slam crown, had cruised through the early rounds at Flushing Meadows, but was out-muscled and out-played by the Czech sixth seed.

Tomas Berdych celebrates his US Open quarter-final win over Roger Federer on Wednesday. Pics/AFP

Berdych's stunning 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory gave him a first spot in the US Open semi-finals and a Saturday showdown with British third seed Andy Murray. "I'm able to make him some trouble, you know. That even if he's playing well there's something in my game that he doesn't like and it makes him struggle," said the 26-year-old.

"I would say I maybe bring him out of his comfort zone. He always likes to have time and he always likes to be the one who is dictating the game." - u00a0