The Serb then broke again the very next game before he hit another breathtaking passing shot, which left Federer helpless and trailing a set to love after just 22 minutes.
Advertisement
He came out of the blocks very quickly and took full advantage of a rather lethargic opponent, who struggled to find his rhythm until the third set.
Novak Djokovic must wonder what he has to do to win over the public.
Djokovic held three match points in the next game and he clinched it in two hours, 19 minutes when Federer netted a backhand.
For Federer, his wait for an 18th continues and despite playing brilliantly against the rest of the field, it may never end while he keeps running into Djokovic, who has now won their last four grand slam meetings.
“I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was, I think, a different level than from before”.
In the second semi matchup No. 2 seed Andy Murray faces off against No. 13 seed Milos Raonic, with the two-time major victor Murray listed as the -275 favorite, while the 25-year-old Raonic on the board at +225.
“I’ve worked hard to challenge rivals like Roger and Rafa (Nadal) and I feel at the peak of my career”, Djokovic said.
The Swiss was finally putting pressure back on the world number one and he claimed the third set on his third set point, to a thunderous roar on Rod Laver Arena.
Kerber knows she faces a daunting task trying to beat Williams.
Six-time champion Serena Williams has taken the first set 6-0 in her Australian Open singles semifinal against Agnieszka Radwanska. Moreover, Federer and Djokovic played in the US Open and Wimbledon past year in which the Serb won both. Now she’s looking for seven wins in seven finals on the same court.
“But I definitely walk away from a place like this and say, “I want to come back next year”.
However, the 34-year-old conjured up some magic of his own in the last two sets.
Despite all her success, it is a loss that is inspiring Williams in this tournament. A win on Sunday would give him 11 career Grand Slams.
“Physically I’m feeling a lot better, mentally I needed that break after the Open”, Williams said, but “I didn’t think I would do this well this fast”. Margaret Court holds the all-time record of 24 major wins. Another British player, Johanna Konta, is in the other semifinal against Angelique Kerber.
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 set.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images Roger Federer had his hands full against Novak Djokovic.
“Playing these two guys 100 tmes have made me a better player”.
“You have to be careful how you phrase a question”, Federer said.
Advertisement
“Best-of-three, best-of-five, I can run for four or five hours”.
