Novak Djokovic Beats Roger Federer In Australian Open Semi-Finals

Novak Djokovic has produced another awe-inspiring display to beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

The 45th meeting between two of the sport's greatest champions was another classic encounter and Djokovic produced one of his finest ever performances in a 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 win in Melbourne. Both men shared 22 wins apiece ahead of this latest showdown, but Djokovic seemed a class above his long-term rival while storming into a two-set lead in just 54 minutes.

Federer's decision to attack the net stemmed the Serb's onslaught in the third and he hauled back a set as a partisan crowd roared him on at a flood-lit Rod Laver Arena but the defending champion was not denied for long and broke again in the fourth set rivened by tension before serving out the match to love in two hours and 19 minutes to secure a place in his fifth successive Grand Slam final.

Djokovic had given his rivals hope after two lacklustre displays against Gilles Simon and Kei Nishikori but the top seed was back to his very best here and will now be strong favourite to clinch his 11th major crown. “I played unbelievable first two sets, but that's what's necessary against Roger, he's been playing at a very high level and I knew he was going to try to play aggressive, mix up the pace and come to the net. I came out with the right intensity and executed everything perfectly. But it was a battle in the end” said the 10-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic will now bid to join Australian legend Roy Emerson with a sixth title at Melbourne Park when he meet the winner of second seed Andy Murray and 13th seed Milos Raonic who play in the second semi-final on Friday.  Sunday will be Djokovic's 19th major final overall and moves him into equal-third place with Ivan Lendl on the all-time list of most appearances in major finals, which is headed by Federer.

For Federer, his wait for an 18th continues and despite playing brilliantly against the rest of the field, it may never end while he keeps running into Djokovic, who has now won their last four Grand Slam meetings.