The Serbian had breezed through the first set in just 22 minutes allowing Federer a solitary game.
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In the early stages of the third set, Federer was finally starting to find his footing, holding easily in his first two games. She has not lost a set so far and barely broke a sweat while vanquishing number five seed Maria Sharapova in the quarter-finals.
In the fourth set Federer stayed in step with Djokovic before falling behind 0-30 while serving at 3-4.
In a fourth set rivened by tension, Djokovic took Federer’s serve in the eighth game, benefiting from a lucky netcord that gave him a crucial break point, and served out the match to love in two hours and 19 minutes.
JULIAN SMITH/EPA Novak Djokovic is too much for Roger Federer in the semifinals.
Djokovic is repeatedly mentioned when pondering the game’s best returners and Federer was especially troubled the first two sets.
“But I think against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I’ve played against him overall I think throughout my career”. “He has been playing a high level this tournament”, Djokovic said post-match. “I came up with the right intensity, great concentration and I executed everything perfectly”.
In Sunday’s final, Djokovic will face the victor of Friday’s semifinal between No. 2-ranked Andy Murray and Milos Raonic. “Except for the French, Djokovic I would have thought it would have been a ideal situation for him”, he said.
Djokovic’s amusing burn had the Rod Laver Arena crowd applauding as loudly as they had done all night, showing they appreciate a good joke as well as any forehand victor.
But 17-time Grand Slam champions do not go away quietly. Williams is the overwhelming favorite in the final, and not just based on recent form.
Konta was the first British woman into the last four at the Australian Open for 39 years after a remarkable run on her main draw debut at Melbourne Park. Whoever wins, we both deserve to be in the final.
“I definitely block it out”, Williams said in reply to a question about equaling Graf’s mark. “But nevertheless, I’m happy to pull those shots off. Of course”.
But, she’ll still start as a huge underdog in Saturday’s title match against Williams.
As for Djokovic, he was planning to enjoy two days off to prepare for his 19th Grand Slam final.
“I worked myself very hard to get myself in a position to challenge (players like Federer and Nadal)”.
Djokovic has won six of his last eight head-to-head meetings against Federer including four in the their Grand Slam meetings.
Angelique Kerber has won the first set 7-5 in her Australian Open semifinal against Johanna Konta.
Kerber has one win in six matches against Williams – in 2012.
Familiar sight: Federer congratulates Djokovic at the net.
Regardless, Kerber says she is just excited to play in the finals.
“She took out a really tough opponent in Victoria”.
“You have to be careful how you phrase a question”, Federer said.
“I feel like I’m competitive at the top, I can beat all the guys on tour”. I knew he would be aggressive.
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“Being in the finals and watching the other semi-finals, of course it’s quite a joyful feeling”. She started unbelievable, with such a power and speed.
