Djokovic, Williams win Australian Open semifinals

Djokovic’s 6-1 first set was his easiest opening set win over Federer.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic held off a late fightback from 17-time Grand Slam chamption Roger Federer on Thursday to enter the final of the Australian Open. The Swiss ace has lost to Djokovic in three slam finals in the last two years but has been playing some scintillating attacking tennis in Australia.

Federer admitted he had few answers to Djokovic in the first set.

“I played unbelievably in the first two sets but I needed to because Roger has been playing unbelievably and I knew he would be aggressive”.

“I’ve played these guys (Federer and Nadal) so many different occasions”. “I know that if I drop my level or concentration or allow myself to get distracted by anything that he would take the first opportunity, jump on me, and just take the lead of the rallies”.

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.

Djokovic was dazed, Federer had confidence coursing through his body and the support of more than 10,000 Aussie who wanted nothing more than to see their hero take Djokovic to a fifth set, if not win it. It was a frenzy.

“My rhythm, my timing, all that, was a bit off in the beginning”, said Federer.

The start of the fourth set was delayed briefly while the roof on Rod Laver Arena was being closed because of rain and games went on serve before Djokovic got the break in the eighth game to lead 5-3. “I’m trying, obviously, to enjoy my time, to do the best that I can with the tennis racket, but also to focus on the positive energy rather than negative, rather than getting frustrated by that”.

“It’s nice now that in the last three Slams I’ve been as consistent as I have been”.

SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images A win in Saturday’s final will put Serena Williams even with Steffi Graf with 22 singles Grand Slam titles.

“I’ve always said that when I’m playing at my best, it’s hard to beat me”, said 34-year-old Williams, who has won all six of her previous finals at Melbourne Park. Murray is still looking for his first Australian open title after finishing runner up there four times in the last six years.

Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh posted a courtside selfie from the Rod Laver Arena.

The world number three looked shell-shocked and his predicament soon got worse as Djokovic broke again for 2-1 in the second set after Federer sent a forehand long. However, Djokovic stepped up his game in the fourth and secured his fifth successive Grand Slam final appearance.

“It is going to be a great match”, he said.

Djokovic opened up a love-30 lead in the seventh, then the two played perhaps the match of the tournament, Djokovic lobbing a sprinting Federer, who flicked back a lob and then two strokes later passed the Serb with a down-the-line backhand victor.

Ongoing rivalry: Djokovic and Federer.

And he was no less dominant in the second, decisively breaking to love in the third game as he threatened to hand a rattled Federer one of his worst ever defeats.