Djokovic eases past Nishikori to set up Federer showdown

Fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska has become the first player through to the Australian Open semifinals, overpowering Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3 in the opening match at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

Four-time champion Federer capped the afternoon session with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-4 win over No. 6 Tomas Berdych, reaching his 12th Australian Open semifinal and his 39th in a Grand Slam.

Federer is looking to win his first Grand Slam title since winning the Wimbledon in 2012 and will need an outstanding performance to get the better of defending champions Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Kei Nishikori of Japan in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. “She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players”, she said.

“He’s a great champion, I have a lot of respect for him and we’re going to have a good match”.

“I mean, whether you’re the favorite or the underdog, I think that’s very much a circumstantial thing outside of the match that I’m playing”.

Williams has not lost to Sharapova since 2004 and she is now unbeaten in 18 matches against the Russian.

Serena Williams continued her domination of Maria Sharapova with her latest triumph, a 6-4 6-1 victory in the quarter-finals. Otherwise the train leaves the station and you’re maybe not on it. “It would be a pity to waste talent and all that even more so in this day and age because I feel talent brought you further back in the day”.

“It’s always a great challenge to play Roger”, Djokovic said of Thursday’s semifinals.

The top seed overcame Nishikori in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, while Federer was in top form earlier to quell the threat of sixth seed Tomas Berdych 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4. Against Williams, she could only muster three in the whole match.

An error-strewn service game from Williams saw her broken immediately and raised the prospect of a thrilling contest, however back-to-back double faults from Sharapova allowed her opponent to level shortly afterwards.

Both Djokovic and Federer are bidding to become the first man in the Open era to reach six Australian Open finals – of which Djokovic has won five and Federer four.

She attacked Sharapova’s strength, the serve, and it paid off.

“It would mean a lot to me, no doubt about it”, Federer said.

Sharapova served a career-best 21 aces against Belinda Bencic in the previous round but failed to penetrate Williams, who broke twice in each set. “She was really explosive off the return”.

Federer also has some inspiration in his next match against Djokovic, namely the recent losses. “No but that’s good” she said.

“I think today was more (about) my game. She’s showed time and time again over the last numerous years”, Konta said.

Djokovic meets Federer on the hard court for the 45th time in the semifinal round of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, reliving one of the most intense rivalries in tennis history.

“I really want to enjoy being a professional tennis player and playing on Grand Slam courts, moments like this”. “It’s nice now that in the last three slams that I’ve been as consistent as I have been”, Federer said via the tournament’s official website when asked about his mission to win another Grand Slam. She presents a completely different game, an extremely exciting game.