Djokovic puts down Federer fightback to reach final

On Wednesday, a half-hour before Angelique Kerber began her 6-3, 7-5 win over Victoria Azarenka to advance to the semifinals, tennis’s governing bodies announced they will commission an independent review of their anti-corruption unit to restore “public confidence in our sport” following the reports that possible evidence of match-fixing was not properly investigated.

He has won 10 Grand Slam titles and is gaining on Federer’s record 17. After seven minutes, Federer was trailing 3-0.

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.

Federer certainly showed his class during a magical point at 4-3 in the fourth set, as Djokovic looked to have won the exchange at least twice before the Swiss whipped a backhand pass down the line. The Serb held, broke Federer’s serve, and then served it out to win 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.

The victory saw Djokovic edge ahead of Federer for the first time in their head-to-head rivalry, the Serb winning 23 of their 45 career matches.

“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 came out with the right intensity and executed everything perfectly.

“He returns very well, like Andre Agassi”, Federer said, referring to the former No. 1 who stifled foes with his flat ground strokes.

Federer had more success against Djokovic than any other player past year, beating him three times, but Melbourne Park is the world No1’s kingdom. “Obviously the report was timed to hit at this point, try to create as big a story as possible”.

Undisputed world number one Djokovic has dropped a set more than the Swiss but has never lost in the semi-finals of the tournament. “If she wins, I’ll be very happy for her. I’m sure she’ll feel the same way”, Williams said. “Each time I come back… and step on Rod Laver Arena I have this handsome memory”.

Williams is the overwhelming favorite in the final, and not just based on recent form.

It will be the semifinal showdown that everyone expected when the Australian Open draw ceremony was held nearly two weeks ago.

“I definitely block it out”, Williams said in reply to a question about equaling Graf’s mark.

In an era featuring Federer and Rafael Nadal, the debate over who is the greatest tennis player of all time has been a constant one. “I’ll be the one controlling the match in a way so I accept that”.

Both players enjoyed superb quarter-final victories, with Kerber reversing a run of six successive losses against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka to emerge victorious in straight sets, while Konta ended the fairytale run of Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang, also in straights.

He did beat Djokovic three times in 2015, but none of those were in a Grand Slam.

For Djokovic, it offers a chance to re-assert his dominance after finishing the best season of his career. Konta was the first British woman since 1983 to reach a major semifinal.

Williams hasn’t played a left-hander so far this tournament and said that, combined with Kerber’s win over two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals, were making her wary.

Djokovic complimented his opponent on his performance during that point, but noted that he took care to keep the excitement from rattling him.

“It’s not a stat that’s set in stone, ” Williams said. “For me that’s good because I like to have time”.

Williams remained unbeaten in nine matches against Radwanska, whom she beat in the 2012 Wimbledon final.