Roger Federer credits SABR

04:23 - 10 September 2015

Roger Federer credits SABR, volleying at US Open

World number two Roger Federer said his flashy return of serve and his volleying have been the key to his US Open success this year.

Roger Federer said his form stems from his kamikaze-like aggression, after setting up an all-Swiss US Open semi-final clash with Stan Wawrinka.

The second seed is into the last four without the loss of a set, after dispatching with Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-3 6-1 on Wednesday - the 17-time major winner crunching 50 winners to the Frenchman's eight in a lopsided affair.

Federer has made no secret of his newest weapon - SABR, or Surprise Attack By Roger - as being one of the keys to his success, with the former world number one charging at opponent's serves with fearless vigour.

The 34-year-old also had his best return at the net this tournament, winning points 82 per cent of the time he approached.

"I think I have worked on my game moving forward, have been able to take the ball earlier, and I think I'm volleying better than I have the last 10 years," Federer told a news conference.

"I think I was volleying well coming up on the tour when I was younger because I was spending more time at net.

"I think that gave me confidence to keep working on that, moving forward.

"Now because my serving is working quite well, you put those two things together, and standing in on the return as well, I think has changed the dynamics a little bit.

"It's all about keeping yourself in shape and staying injury-free and motivated."

Federer and Wawrinka have met only twice since their tense match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November, when reports of a rift between the pair emerged.