Dominant Djokovic storms into Australian Open semis
World No 1 Novak Djokovic will take on 17 times Grand slam winner Roger Federer in a dream semifinal at this year’s Australian Open after the two beat their respective opponents in today’s quarterfinal matches.
Issued on:
Defending champion Djokovic dominated seventh seed Kei Nishikori to win 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 after Federer had earlier got the better of Thomas Berdych in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.
A Djokovic-Federer clash gets a high billing is because the Serbian is seeking his 11th Grand Slam title while Federer is looking to extend his record tally to 18.
Federer is into his 39th Grand Slam semi-final while Djokovic has 29. Interestingly, their head-to-head score now stands at 22-22. They were both on court for little over two hours on Tuesday.
Speaking about the mouth-watering clash, Djokovic said playing Federer was always a great challenge.
“You don't need to spend any words on his achievements, what he's done for the sport,” he said.
Djokovic will start as favourite against Federer after he beat him in the Wimbledon and US Open finals last year on his way to winning three Grand Slam titles and finishing runner-up at the French Open.
Thursday's semi-final promises to be a test of Djokovic's continued dominance of men's tennis after his achievement in losing only one Grand Slam match last season.
On the women’s side Serena Williams demolished Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 to set up a semifinal clash against Agnieszka Radwanska who beat Carla Suarez in straight sets.
Williams is the firm favourite to win her seventh Australian Open title and to Steffi Graf's Open-era Grand Slam record of 22 titles.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe