Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to retaining the Australian Open title with a straight-set semi-final win over injury-hit rival Roger Federer.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 32, was 4-1 and 40-0 down in the opening set before recovering to win the tie-break.

That laid the platform for the second seed to go on and win 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic, aiming for a 17th Grand Slam title, will face Dominic Thiem or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

“The match could have definitely gone a different way if he has used those break points [in the sixth game],” Djokovic said.

“He started well, I was nervous.

“Respect to Roger for coming out tonight. He was obviously hurt and wasn’t close to this best in terms of movement.”

Victory would mean a record-extending eighth Australian Open triumph for Djokovic, who has lost just three matches at Melbourne Park in the past 10 tournaments.

It would also move him within three of 38-year-old’s Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles and two of Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who lost to Thiem in Wednesday’s quarter-final.

Ruthless Djokovic proves too strong

Djokovic was the heavy favourite to beat his long-time rival in what was their 50th meeting.

Questions were raised about Federer’s fitness going into the match, having struggled with a groin problem in his epic quarter-final against Tennys Sandgren.

And he needed an off-court medical timeout, presumably for the same problem, at the end of the first set.

Djokovic turned into his ruthless best in the second set after a tight opener, giving away little on his serve and applying serious pressure on his opponent.

After Federer survived break points in the second and sixth games, Djokovic took his first chance in the 10th, scampering to pick up a drop-shot and scoop away sharply cross-court.

That silenced many in the 15,000 crowd on Rod Laver Arena who were supporting Federer.

But not the noisy bunch of Serbs sat behind his player box, to where he shot a steely side-glance as he clenched a fist in celebration.

From that point it was difficult to envisage a comeback for Federer, who somehow came through five-set matches against third-round opponent John Millman and then Sandgren.

Djokovic picked his moment to break in the third set, finishing off a precise point with a wonderful forehand winner which kissed the sideline for a 4-2 lead.

Federer said after beating Sandgren he would always believe in miracles until defeat was confirmed.

This time it would have been a miraculous escape against someone of Djokovic’s class.

Federer valiantly levelled at 30-30 as Djokovic tried to serve out victory, only for the Serb to refocus and seal victory in two hours and 18 minutes.

More soon.