Novak Djokovic cruises past Roger Federer in Aussie Open semifinal

Roger Federer says he still believes that he can beat world number one Novak Djokovic on the biggest stages despite losing to him in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Thursday.

Four days after he racked up 100 unforced errors in a messy fourth round win over Gilles Simon, Djokovic started brilliantly and played 55 minutes of near flawless power tennis to take a commanding two sets to nil lead.

Murray broke through for his first grand slam title and it took some doing, as he edged Djokovic over almost five hours before finally winning it 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.

World No2 Andy Murray faces his nemesis, Serbian Novak Djokovic, in the men’s singles after a marathon five-set semi-final win yesterday. Djokovic broke Federer in the eighth game to go up 5-3 – not even a stunning down-the-line shot after he earlier chased down a lob on the same point could save the Swiss star.

“I executed everything perfectly”.

“It’s disappointing, but at the same time I’m going deep in Slams right now”.

Angelique Kerber has won the first set 7-5 in her Australian Open semifinal against Johanna Konta.

Besides the return, Djokovic was untouchable on his serve, facing break points in one game.

Djokovic won the match, but there’s always a sense of defeatism, whenever he comes up against Federer.

“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.

“I’ve seen Novak play this well before”, he said. “A two-set lead is more comforting but it was a battle in the end”.

Serena Williams was just being her dominant self.

After two magical sets, Djokovic had served 25 first serves, and won 22.

Djokovic, who won three Grand Slam titles a year ago, held three match points in the next game and he clinched it in 2 hours, 19 minutes when Federer netted a backhand. “When he gets on a roll it’s tough to stop”. I’m having great runs. Djokovic looked wobbly and was gasping for breath in the third set before he came roaring back to win 12 of the last 13 games. She was two matches away from a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2015 when she lost to Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semifinals. Konta was the first British woman since 1983 to reach the semifinals at a major tournament.

Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares are taking on the French team of Adrian Mannarino and Lucas Pouille in a semifinal on Rod Laver Arena.

That explained many things about why she’s so successful and is able to sustain that high level of performance for so many years. “Thank you all for coming, and I hope you enjoyed this match tonight”, he said.

“Of course I wanted to do well”, Federer said.

“When you re playing one of your top rivals, somebody of Roger s resume, of course it requires a lot of focus, determination, and a different preparation for that match-up than most of the other matches”, he said.

With the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena because of rain showers in the area, Williams broke Radwanska’s service to open the match and was rarely troubled in the 21-minute first set.

In the stands, Federer’s wife Mirka could barely bring herself to watch as her husband laboured to serve out the set but Djokovic fired a forehand long to raise thunderous cheers from the terraces.