PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE: Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6 and 6-3 to in their 45th career face off to enter the final of the Australian Open.
Djokovic entered the match on fire and won the first two sets with ease.
Djokovic through to Federer semi at Australian Open
Federer was not up for an easy defeat and came back strong in the third set to force Djokovic to work hard for a spot in the final.
The fourth set saw each player win the games on serve untill Djokovic was able to beat Federer on his serve to go 5-3 up in the set. The Serb then served for the match and with Federer hitting a return into the nets celebrated the win jubilantly.
Federer thrashes Berdych to reach 12th Australian Open semi
Djokovic, in the after-match ceremony, said that the Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Federer have played a big role in making him the player he is today.
Djokovic: "Both Roger and Rafa have contributed a lot to my career and success. Playing those two guys made me a better player" #AusOpen
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2016
The Serb added that he was at the peak of his career and wanted to enjoy the success.
Australian Open: 22-all and game on for Djokovic, Federer
Djokovic now lead the win count against Federer which was level on 22-all before today semi-final.
Do I smell or something? Novak's hilarious interview #Ausopen Watch more https://t.co/Ek545Zh2D9 https://t.co/rbR3uhUcA9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2016
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 6 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 3 | 6 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves for a place in his sixth Australian Open final. Goes 30-0 up. Three match points for Djokovic with serve in hand. Federer hits a backhand into the net. A 19th major final for the Serb and startling 17th consecutive majors final.
Novak #Djokovic is through to the final of the #Ausopen Watch more https://t.co/Ek545Zh2D9 https://t.co/HgjOUtC3RG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2016
Novak Djokovic is into a 6th #AusOpen final after a stunning 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory over Roger Federer. Remarkable. pic.twitter.com/WqD3ER6Dnj
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2016
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 5 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 3 | 6 | 2 | 1
Federer to serve. Djokovic wins the first point with an exquisite shot. A rally and Federer runs up to the net, Djokovic recovers and hits the shot past Federer to win the point. Federer takes one back, 30-15. A marvellous rally, Federer stands and poises for Djokovic to see, a running backhand down the line by the Swiss maestro, 30-all. Federer comes to the net again and this time is hit on his body by Djokovic. Federer loses a game on his serve. Djokovic strikes back!
A record attendance of 18000+ people in the arena. PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 4
Djokovic: Games 4 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 3 | 6 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves and he goes 40-15 up in no time. Federer hits the backhand return into the nets to give the game to the Serb.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 3 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 3 | 6 | 2 | 1
Federer to serve. Federer comes up to the net but loses the point to Djokovic. Federer follows with a powerful serve to win the point, 15-all. Another powerful serve by Federer and Djokovic had no chance to send it back. This time Federer hits Djoko's return into the net. Hit out by Djokovic, Federer moves to 40-30. Another return hit out, Federer holds the serve and goes equal three games to three.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 3 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 6 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves. 15-all and Djokovic wins two points to go 40-15 up. Two game points for the Serb now. Djokovic hits a forehand out to lose the first game point. Follows up with an ace to win the game.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 2 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 6 | 2 | 1
Federer with the serve now. Federer with pure athleticism, wins first point with a great serve and follows up a great running forehand across the court. An ace pushes him to 40-0 and a return out of the baselines gives him the game.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 2 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 6 | 2 | 1
Djokovic starts with an point. Federer couldn't return it properly. Federer reviews a decision and loses another point. Djokovic hits it out this time and Federer follows up with a backhand into the net, 40-15 to Djokovic now. Fault on first serve and Federer hits the return out to lose the point. Djokvic 2-1 up in fourth set.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 1 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 6 | 2 | 1
Federer serves now. The game goes into 30-all. Federer serves up an ace to go 40-30 up. One game all as Djokovic hits the return into the net.
Set 4
Djokovic: Games 1 | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 0 | 6 | 2 | 1
The rooftop is being closed due to light rain at the Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic comeback with a win with his serve.
PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPEN
The crowd at the Rod Laver Arena loves both of them. PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 3
Djokovic: Games | 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games | 6 | 2 | 1
Federer serves for the set now. Wins the first point but hits the backhand into the nets to lose the second point. The game moves to 30-all as Federer reviews a baseline decision. Federer with a single set point now. Can he? Starts with a fault and loses the point to Djokovic to sprints all over the court to force a deuce. Federer takes the advantage with a forehand down his right baseline, loses it with backhand error. Federer again with an advantage, served powerfully down the center line and the Serb couldn't send it back. Djokovic hits it out and Federer is back with a third set win. Its game on in the first semi!
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 3 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 5 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves. Federer loses and wins a point, 15-all. Djokovic wins the game without any hesitation.
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 2 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 5 | 2 | 1
Djokovic receives now. Djokovic increases the pace of the game to go 30-15 up. Federer comes up with a beautiful center-court serve to win the point with an ace. Cross-court drama and then a forehand down the line by Federer. He goes 5-2 up in the third set now. Vintage Federer!
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 2 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 4 | 2 | 1
Federer receives now. Djokovic makes Federer run left and right and in the end give up a point with a forehand shot into the nets. Djokovic with a double-fault now. A backhand down the line from Federer puts him forward 30-15. Federer with two majestic returns from the net. He seems to be warming up now. First break points for Federer in the game. Djokovic serves up a steaming center court serve, Federer hits into the nets. Forehand hit out in attempt to hit down the line by Federer. Deuce in play now! Advantage Federer, lost on a rally. Advantage for Djokovic now... Federer take it back with a beautiful slice on the nets. Djokovic admires it with a nod. Djokovic with an ace to earn the advantage again, Federer with a beautiful forehand takes it back again. Another ace, another advantage for Djokovic; a backhand from Federer cancels it. Advantage for Federer with a beautiful run towards the nets and a lob shot just over the nets. Federer wins the game with a forehand. Crowd stands and acknowledges his determination.
PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 3
Djokovic: Games 2 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 3 | 2 | 1
Federer with the serve now. Djokovic returns twice into the nets. Federer runs in to smash for the third point but hits it out of the right side guide lines. Hits one into the nets to bring Djokovic back in the game, 30-all. Deuce now! Federer takes the advantage with a smash. A cross court forehand into the nets and Federer goes 3-2 up in the third set.
PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 3
Djokovic: Games 2 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves. Federer replies twice into the nets. The Serb follows up with a middle-court ace (196 kmph). Federer hits the ball out of guidelines to give the game to Djokovic. Its 2-all now.
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 1 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 2 | 1
Federer dominating Djokovic with his serve. Leads the game 30-15 and moves closer to a win with a backhand error from Djokovic. Finishes it off in typical Swiss style. Serve good, receive effectively and win.
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 1 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 2 | 1
Djokovic serves! Goes 15-0 up. And back comes Federer with a brilliant back hand surprise slice from the nets. A backhand try down the line missed by Federer. Djoko 40-15 now. Djoko hits a cross court serve, Federer replies in the center, Djoko lobs it up and Federer wins the point with a backhand. Djoko wins the game on next point.
Set 3
Djokovic: Games 0 | 6 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 2 | 1
The games goes into 30-all state as Federer serves. A forehand error from the Serb pushes Federer to 40-30. Another forehand error and Federer starts the third set with a win.
Set 2
Djokovic: Games 6 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 1
Federer has to play exceptionally well to comeback in this set but Djokovic doesn't give him a chance. Goes 40-0 up and finishes it off in style. Two sets to one now. Are we in for a Federer comeback or is it going to be another Djokovic dominated game?
Set 2
Djokovic: Games 5 | 6
Federer: Games 2 | 1
Djokovic wins the first point. Federer wins the second. The Swiss serves, moves up to the net and then finishes it with a forehand smash. The Serb takes another point, 30-all. One point each for the players and the game goes into a deuce. Djokovic takes advantage as Federer's forehands meets the net. Set point for Novak but Federer takes it a deuce with a smash. Advantage again for Djoko as he gets set point number 2. Djoko loses it, hits the return into the nets... and again; advantage for Federer and he wins the game. The Swiss is still alive in this match.
PHOTO COUIRTESY: AUSOPENSet 2
Djokovic: Games 5 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Djokovic is playing PlayStation tennis here with Federer. He is just sending the ball back everytime and forcing points out of Federer. Two points for the Serb 30-0. Federer comes back, forcing a forehand error by Djokovic. The Swiss gives up two points from his backhand as Djokovic wins the game to go on to receive for the set.
Set 2
Djokovic: Games 4 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Fifth game on now. Federer starts with a point. Djokovic wins the 18-shot rally with a ridiculously genius cross-court shot. Djokovic is 40-15 up and is moving on strongly towards another set win.
PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 2
Djokovic: Games 3 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Djokovic goes 40-15 up in no time with his powerful shots. Federer comesback with a backhand chop. Djokovic wins the game with a serve.
Set 2
Djokovic: Games 2 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Third game on now. Djokovic moves 30-0 up and Federer runs up to the nets again. Djokovic has the same reply for him, a linear shot past him. Federer lose another game, hitting the rally out of the guide lines.
The fire in those eyes! PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 2
Djokovic: Games 1 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Federer comes up to the nets but Djokovic goes to his left to win the first point of the second game. Serb follows up with an middle-court ace. This time a cross court ace for Djokovic. Surgical precision by Djokovic, starts with a cross-court serve and and hits it to Federer's right to win the game. Its 1-1 now.
Set 2
Djokovic: Games 0 | 6
Federer: Games 1 | 1
Federer needs to comeback in this set if he wants to salvage a chance of a victory in this semi. Federer makes it 30-all with a deceived slow forehand on the nets. Its a deuce. Federer takes the advantage with a cross court forehand and then wins the first game.
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 6
Federer: Games 1
Serb hits a forehand into the nets, Federer replies with a backhand into the nets, 15-all. Djokovic making Federer play cross-court rallies and everytime the Serb comes out as the winner. He goes 40-15 up. Two set points for the Serb now. Federer makes a comeback with a beautiful backhand smash. Djokovic wins the game on the next point.
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 5
Federer: Games 1
Djokovic goes 40-15 up with a combination of smart shots. Federer loses the longest rally of the match until now with a forehand into the nets. Djokovic now serves for the set.
PHOTO COURTESY: AUSOPENSet 1
Djokovic: Games 4
Federer: Games 1
Djokovic starts with a forceful cross-court shot to earn the first point. Federer hits the backhand into the nets to give the Serb another point. Djokovic goes up 40-0 but Federer forehand return on gamepoint brings him back into the game. A sliced backhand return from Federer and Djokovic hits it into the nets. Both players start a three-shot rally but Federer hits a forehand into the nets. Game, Djokovic!
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 3
Federer: Games 0
Federer wins the first point, Djokovic comes back to make it 15-15. A rally on the third point gives Djokovic a point, its 30-15 now. Federer with another return out of the right side guide lines - 40-15. Federer comes forward to Djokovic but the Serb's back hand return down the line beats the Swiss. Three games to none for the Serb.
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 2
Federer: Games 0
The game starts with 15-15 and Federer returns a back hand out of the line to send Djokovic 30-15 up. Another back hand into the nets by Federer, Djokovic is making the Swiss runs for his points. Djokovic wins the second game too. A good start by the Serb.
Set 1
Djokovic: Games 1
Federer: Games 0
Djokovic starts with an ace and moves to 30-0 after that. A back hand reply earns his 40-0 and a return on the nets from Federer gives Djokovic the first game.
Key points
Djokovic: Wins more than 46% rallies with 10 or more shots.
Federer: Wins more than 52% of four to nine shot rallies.
The players have arrived the Rod Laver Arena. Federer wins the toss and opts to receive the serves first up.
Novak and Roger are ready to do battle on Rod Laver Arena #ausopen Watch more https://t.co/Ek545Zh2D9 https://t.co/vT5jbcgGhf
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2016
Federer set up a semi-final clash against Djokovic after beating Georgian Basilashvili, Ukranian Dolgopolov, Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov and Belgian D Goffin in the first four rounds.
The Swiss faced Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the quarter-final whom he downed 7-6, 6-2 and 6-4.
Djokovic came into the semis after beating Korean H Chung, French Q Halys, Italian Andreas Seppi and French Gilles Simon in the first four rounds of the Australian Open.
In the quarter-final he beat Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4.
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