Day 11 Aus Open: Women’s finalists decided, Djokovic bumps Federer

Roger Federer has come back to win the third set against Novak Djokovic 6-3 in their semifinal at Melbourne Park. “But it doesn’t scare me when I go into a big match against any player who’s in their prime right now”.

The two last met at the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London last year, with Federer beating Djokovic in the round robin matches, but Djokovic beat him in the finals of the very same tournament. He will play either Milos Raonic or Andy Murray for the Australian Open title on Sunday.

On his part, Federer, who beat Djokovic three times last season but only in best-of-three encounters, rejected the suggestion that he is unable to keep up with the Serb in best-of-five play. Djokovic won 3 of last year’s four Slams, while Federer has not won a Grand Slam since 2012.

“I’m going to try to stay here as long as possible”.

The world No.1, now into his fifth straight Grand Slam final, was on a different level to the 17-time major victor in the opening two sets as he dished out a dominant, four-set semi-final victory.

“Physically I’m feeling a lot better, mentally I needed that break after the Open”, she said, but “I didn’t think I would do this well this fast”.

Also spotted at the Australian Open were Australian Test skipper Steve Smith and his teammates Glenn Maxwell and Peter Siddle.

Matters came to a head in a superb game at 3-2 when Federer came out of a quick-fire exchange of volleys on top and then whipped a forehand victor to snatch a morale-boosting break.

“When I play Roger it’s something that is expected, in a way, considering his career and his greatness on and off the court”, Djokovic said. In a show of dominance, Djokovic won nearly twice as many points as Federer (52 to 27) and did not face a break point.

On this day of the Australian Open, the women played both of their semifinal matches, while the men played the first of two.

But a poor game at 3-4 ultimately proved costly as Djokovic broke and then served out to love to edge ahead 23-22 in his rivalry with Federer.

Djokovic broke in the first game and lost only one point behind his first serve as he raced through the opener.

“I talk about it every time… how thankful I am for the crowd”, he said.

“I think someone like Novak is well on his way trying to accomplish that”. He’s been playing at a very high level during this tournament.

It was ugly early if you were a Roger Federer fan.

The Swiss, who has left countless opponents red-faced with his spectacular racket-wielding skills, found himself on the receiving end of a demoralising drubbing on Thursday as world number one Djokovic raced to a 6-1 6-2 lead. “But Novak certainly has a chance to pull off a Grand Slam”.

“Being in the finals and watching the other semi-finals, of course it’s quite a joyful feeling”.

Seventh-seeded Kerber ended the fairytale run of unseeded Australian-born Brit Johanna Konta 7-5 6-2.