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Australian Open, men's semifinal: Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer - As it happened...

In a high-voltage encounter, Swiss legend Roger Federer will take on defending champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first men's semi-final at the Rod Laver Arena.

Australian Open, men's semifinal: Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer - As it happened...

Melbourne: World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss legend Roger Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to yet another Australian Open final.

FOURTH SET: Djokovic wins 6-3

Djokovic to serve for the match. He wins the first point, 15-0. Another point won by Nole as Federer's forehand went long, 30-0. Another good serve from Djoker, gives him three match points at 40-0. And he wins it! Djokovic has reached yet another Australian Open final!

FOURTH SET: Djokovic leads 5-3

Federer to serve. Nole wins the first one with a full-stretched cross court forehand winner from the right side of his net, 0-15. Another moment of brilliance from the World No. 1, lost his balance in that rally, but came back and smashed a passing winner past Federer, 0-30. Djokovic's return of serve goes into the nets, 15-30. Another rally of superb incredibility between these two, won by Federer with a backhand winner, 30-30. Momentum could shift towards the Swiss with that rally. Nole took the lead as his shot clipped the top of net and landed for a winner, 30-40, break point for Djokovic. Djokovic has broken the serve once again. Federer served, went for volley but Nole hit a powerful shot which the Swiss couldn't return.

FOURTH SET: Djokovic leads 4-3

Djokovic to serve. Djoker won the first point, 15-0. Federer won the next as Djokovic's forehand went long, 15-15. Good work from the nets by Djokovic, extends his lead to 30-15. Another point won by the Serb, 40-15. Easy service game for the World No. 1.

FOURTH SET: Scores level 3-3

Federer to serve. Another fine rally between the two players, finally won by Djokovic as the Swiss missed out on one from the nets, 0-15. Federer follows it with a quick serve, 15-15. Another good serve from Federer, 30-15. Good return of serve from Djokovic, Federer was taken aback and hit one into the nets, 30-30. Federer wins the next point as Djokovic's backhand goes long, 40-30, game point for Federer. And the Swiss holds!

FOURTH SET: Djokovic leads 3-2

Djokovic to serve. He wins the first point, 15-0. Federer wins the second as a cross court forehand from Djokovic from his right goes wide, 15-15. Djokovic extends his lead to 30-15. Good serve from Nole, 40-15. The Serb hit a forehand long, when he had the chance to hit a winner on an open court, 40-30. Nole seals the game with an ace.

FOURTH SET: Scores level 2-2

Federer to serve. Starts with a good wide serve, Djokovic challenged it but it was on the line, 15-0. Superb play from Federer, runs to his right and smashes a cross court forehand winner, 30-0. Roger extends lead to 40-0. Easy service game for Federer.

FOURTH SET: Djokovic leads 2-1

Djokovic to serve. He won the first point, 15-0. Djoker won another point with a good serve, 30-0. Federer won the next point, 30-15. Federer's cross court backhand crashed into the nets, 40-15, two game points for the Serb. Easy service game for Djokovic.

FOURTH SET: Scores level 1-1

Federer to serve. Nole won the first point, 0-15. Federer won the next one, 15-15. Federer serves an ace, 30-15. Good play from Djokovic, plenty of depth in his shots, 30-30. Federer serves another ace, 40-30. Good service game from the Swiss.

FOURTH SET: Djokovic leads 1-0

Djokovic to serve. Federer gets lucky with the first point which clips the top of the net and falls towards Djokovic's side, 0-15. Federer wins another point as Djokovic's down the line forehand hits the nets, 0-30. Federer had an opportunity, but hit the return of serve into the nets, 15-30. Once again, Federer tries to attack the second serve, hits it into the nets, 30-30. Wide serve from Djokovic , return was into the nets by Federer. Djoker seals the game.

THIRD SET: Federer wins it 6-3

Federer to serve for the set. The Swiss won the first point and the Serb won the second, 15-15. Wide serve from Federer, Djokovic's return goes into the nets, 30-15. A backhand down the line by Djokovic was called in, Federer challenged it but it was on the line, 30-30. Federer served, went for the volley but left it as it landed long, 40-30, set point for Federer! Djokovic covered the court well, stretched to his right and smashed a cross court forehand winner to save the first set point, 40-40, deuce! Federer once again takes the advantage, Djokovic came up to the nets and Federer hit a winner past him. The game was back to deuce as Federer hit one long after a short rally, 40-40. Good serve from Federer and he takes the advantage. Third set point for Federer. Djokovic hits one long and Federer and won the set!

THIRD SET: Federer leads 5-3

Djokovic to serve. Nole won the first point, 15-0. Federer won the second with a backhand winner, 15-15. Good wide serve from Djokovic, 30-15. Djokovic's first serve was called wide, he challenged it and it was just on the line, 40-15. Easy service game from Djokovic!

THIRD SET: Federer leads 5-2

Federer to serve. Djokovic won the first point and Federer won the second, 15-15. Another good rally between the two, it ended when Federer's shot went long, 15-30. Federer serves an ace, 30-30. The Swiss smashed yet another down the line forehand winner after sending Djokovic to the left side of his court, 40-30. Federer holds on to his serve with another good serve. He is all pumped up and why shouldn't he be?

THIRD SET: Federer leads 4-2

Djokovic to serve. After a good rally, Federer's forehand hit the nets, 15-0. First double fault for Djokovic, 15-15. Federer once again made Djokovic run all over the court and won the point, 15-30. Excellent play from Federer, he defended superbly from the nets twice and won the point as Djokovic's lob went way long, 15-40, two break points for Federer! Djokovic saves the first one with a briliant serve, 30-40. Federer took a chance, tried hitting a forehand winner which went long, 40-40, two break points saved by Djokovic. Federer wins another point, as he moved to the nets and Djokovic's cross court backhand went wide, advantage Federer. Once again Federer had the space to hit a forehand winner, missed it and it went long, 40-40, another break point saved. Superb play from the World No. 1, made Federer run to his left and right and won the point finally, advantage Djokovic! Mind blowing play from Federer, he once again played a mind blowing drop shot, praised by Djokovic again, 40-40, deuce! Djokovic serves another ace to take the advantage. Point won by Federer as he hit a powerful shot which bounced back way high and wide from Djokovic's racquet. Another ace from the Serb as he takes the advantage once again. Federer once again attacked Djokovic's serve, hit a down the line backhand winner, we are back to deuce! Majestic Federer shows his class yet again, Djokovic came to the nets, played a drop shot, Federer ran and returned it fine much to the amusement of Djokovic! The Swiss is pumped up and his camp and the crowd loves it! Advantage Federer. And guess what, Federer has finally broken Djokovic's serve with some superb play once again.

THIRD SET: Federer leads 3-2

Federer to serve. The Swiss won the first point after a short rally, 15-0. Another good serve from Federer, 30-0. Federer missed out on an opportunity as his volley attempt from the nets went wide, 30-15. Another point missed by Federer as he came to the nets and hit his shot into the nets, 30-30. Federer has been stunned by Djokovic there, he ran to his left and to his right and hit one just above the nets as the Swiss was a mere spectator there. Shot of the match! 30-40, break point for Djokovic! Federer saves it, 40-40. Another good serve from Federer, takes the advantage. Federer holds on to his service game as Djokovic's cross court forehand hits the nets.

THIRD SET: Scores level 2-2

Djokovic to serve. First point won by Djokovic as Federer smashed his return into the nets, 15-0. Good wide serve from the Serb, 30-0. Djokovic serves an ace, 40-0 lead. Another good serve from Djokovic, easy service game for him as well.

THIRD SET: Federer leads 2-1

Federer to serve. Another volley winner from Federer, 15-0. Federer backed a good serve with a better forehand winner, 30-0. A Federer slice crashed into the nets, 30-15. Good wide serve from Federer, 40-15, two game points for Federer. Another good serve and it has been a good service game overall from the Swiss.

THIRD SET: Scores level 1-1

Djokovic to serve. Federer's forehand went long, 15-0. Federer shows his magic again, was made to stretch but he executed a perfect stretch volley, Djokovic applauded that effort, 15-15. One more point won by Djokovic, 30-15. Federer went for the down the line backhand winner, once again ended up hitting wide, 40-15. Two game points for Djokovic. Federer advanced to the nets and hit a backhand winner, 40-30. Ace from Djokovic and he holds on to his serve.

THIRD SET: Federer leads 1-0

Federer to serve. He wins the first point, 15-0, the crowd roars! Djokovic won the second point, 15-15. Djokovic won the third point as well as Federer's shot went long, 15-30. Federer shows his class again with a brilliant cross court forehand winner, 30-30. Djokovic's forehand goes long, 40-30, game point for Federer. Federer wins the game!

SECOND SET: Djokovic wins it 6-2

Djokovic to serve for the set. Nole took the lead as Federer's cross court forehand went wide, 15-0. Good serve from Djokovic, return from Federer was long, 30-0. Djokovic went to the net to create pressure and Federer's shot was way long, 40-0, three set points for Djokovic. And he has won the second set as he went up to the nets, Federer had the chance but his down the line backhand was way long.

SECOND SET: Djokovic leads 5-2

Federer to serve. Double fault from Federer, 0-15. Point for Federer as Djokovic's shot went long, 15-15. Point for Federer, he made Djokovic run to his left and smashed his return for a volley winner, 30-15. Point for Djokovic as Federer hit one long, 30-30. Down the line backhand winner from Federer, 40-30, game point for Federer. Down the line backhand winner from Djokovic, Federer had no chance there, 40-40, deuce! Another mind blowing backhand from Djokovic, Federer's return was short, break point for Djokovic, set point as well! Federer saves it, hit a volley winner from the nets after Djokovic brings the ball back in game with two great shots, 40-40. Another stunning forehand from Djokovic, he gets the advantage! Set point No. 2 for Djokovic! Federer saves it again as he served and went for the volley, Djokovic's return hit the nets, 40-40, another deuce. Advantage Federer as he once again goes for the volley, Djokovic's return was into the nets, advantage Federer. Federer holds on his service game with a good serve!

SECOND SET: Djokovic leads 5-1

Djokovic to serve. The Serb won the first point, 15-0. Another point for Djokovic, engaged Federer in a rally and hammered a cross court backhand winner to take 30-0 lead. Point for Federer as Djokovic's forehand went way long, 30-15. Federer's backhand slice crashes into the nets, 40-15, two game points for Nole. Game Djokovic as Federer once again hits one into the nets.

Federer will have to rethink his strategies as Djokovic is cruising here! He is giving Federer no time to breathe.

SECOND SET: Djokovic leads 4-1

Federer to serve. He won the first point, 15-0. Nole won the second point after another brilliant rally, superb defense from Djokovic and he won the point, 15-15. Yet again, Federer hits one long, 30-15 lead for Djokovic. Superb cross court backhand from Djokovic, Federer was yorked and had no reply, 40-15 lead. Game Djokovic as he sends one at the baseline, Federer hits the bottom of nets.

SECOND SET: Djokovic leads 3-1

Djokovic to serve. Pressure created by Federer as he smashed a powerful shot, Nole's return was short, 0-15. 15-15 as Federer's cross court backhand clipped the nets and landed short. Good serve from Djokovic, 30-15. Federer's down the line forehand went way wide, 40-15, two game points for the Serb. Good play from Federer as he sent one towards Djokovic's right, timed it well as Nole's return was way short, 40-30. Gams Djokovic as his serve saw a huge, massive, in the air, but wide return from Federer.

SECOND SET: Djokovic leads 2-1

Federer to serve. First point for Djokovic as the Swiss' shot went long, 0-15. 0-30 lead for Djokovic as Federer hits one in the nets. Make it 0-40 as Federer once again sees a passing winner past him. Three break points for Djokovic! Federer's forehand goes long, game Djokovic! He has broken it again.

SECOND SET: Scores level 1-1

Djokovic to serve. He wins the first point with a forehand winner, 15-0. 40-0 lead for Djokovic with two brilliant serves. Good wide serve followed by a backhand winner from Djokovic, game Djokovic!

SECOND SET: Federer leads 1-0

Federer to serve. He won the first point with a good serve, 15-0. One point won by Djokovic, 15-15. 15-30 lead as Federer's shot hit the nets. 30-30, as Federer played a cheeky drop shot. 30-40 as Federer once again hit the nets, another break point for the Serb. 40-40, as the Swiss follows a good serve with a forehand winner. Advatange Federer, as he hit a good forehand into Djokovic's right side and his return was short. Nole's backhand goes wide. Hold of serve by Federer.

FIRST SET: Djokovic wins it 6-1

Djokovic to serve for the set. Point for Federer as he advanced to the nets, Djokovic hit one into the nets as he saw the Swiss coming, 0-15. Point for Djokovic as Federer's backhand slice hit the nets, 15-15. Once again there was a good rally between the two, Djokovic won it as Federer once again came to the nets, but Djokovic hit a superb forehand winner stretching from the right side of the net, 30-15. Another point for Djokovic with good serve, 40-15, two set point for the Serb. Federer once again shows his class, his magic by hitting a backhand volley winner from the nets, 40-30. Good serve from Djokovic. He has sealed it 6-1!

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 5-1

Federer to serve. Nole wins the first point, 0-15. Another Federer forehand goes long, 0-30 lead for Djokovic. Point for Federer, he was made to run by Djokovic, but he covered the court well and finally hit a volley winner, 15-30. Federer's backhand once again goes long after a short rally, 15-40, two more break points for Djokovic. Nole has broken again with some superb powerful strokes, game Djokovic!

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 4-1

Djokovic to serve. First point for Nole as Federer was made to stretch and his shot landed long, 15-0. Federer tried a backhand down the line winner, found the nets, 30-0. Once again Federer's forehand went long, poor shot that, 40-0. Brilliant return of serve from Federer, 40-15. Another point for Federer as Djokovic's backhand hit the nets, 40-30. Federer's forehand crashes into the nets.

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 3-1

Federer to serve. First point goes to Federer as Nole's return was long, 15-0. Ace for Federer, 30-0. Another point for Federer, 40-0. Nole's forehand went long, easy service game for the Swiss.

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 3-0

Djokovic to serve. Federer won the first point with a good return of serve, 0-15. Good serve from Djokovic, Federer challenged it but it was in, 15-15. Djoker won the next point after a good rally, Federer's backhand once again landed wide, 30-15. Superb play from Djokovic, ,Federer once again hits one wide, 40-15. Djokovic sealed the game with a stupendous down the line forehand winner as Federer was once again looking to dominate from the nets.

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 2-0

Federer to serve. He takes a 15-0 lead with a good wide serve. One point for Nole, 15-15. Djokovic's forehand landed wide, 15-30. The crowd is backing the Swiss for sure. Good rally between the two, Novak made Federer run and his backhand went into the nets, 15-40. Djokovic has broken early as Federer's shot went wide.

FIRST SET: Djokovic leads 1-0

Djokovic to serve. Starts with an ace, 15-0! 30-0 lead as Federer's forehand crashed into the nets. Djoker smashed a passing winner past Federer who was looking to come at the nets to dominate. Good wide serve from Djokovic. Easy service game for him.

After losing to the Serb in two Grand Slam finals in 2015, the Swiss would be keen put a better show against Nole in majors this year. The semi-final today, could be the perfect start for Federer's plans.

But it's not going to be easy against Djokovic, who had an incredible 2015, where he won three Grand Slams, his only defeat coming against Stanislas Wawrinka in French Open final.

These two have played against each other on 44 occasions with 22 wins apiece.

Federer has found it difficult to decode Djokovic in majors in the last few years. Djoker won against the Swiss in the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2015. In Grand Slams, Federer last defeated Nole in Wimbledon 2012, where he went on to defeat Andy Murray in the final to win his 17th Grand Slam title.

Djoker has huge respect for Federer, and he has often credited him and Rafael Nadal for his enormous success.