Novak Djokovic has resisted a stirring fightback from Roger Federer to advance to a sixth Australian Open final at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic and Federer took tennis to extraordinary new levels at times before the Serbian prevailed 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 in an enthralling semi-final on Thursday night.
The rampant world No.1 was on track to dish out the heaviest hard court defeat of Federer’s 1307-match career before the great Swiss thrilled fans at Rod Laver Arena – including Laver himself – to raise hopes of a famous comeback win.
But after a controversial 10-minute stoppage to close the roof amid forecasts of rain, Djokovic regained control to seal a spot in Sunday’s night’s championship decider.
Djokovic will play the winner of Friday night’s second semi-final between Scottish world No.2 and four-time runner-up Andy Murray or big-serving Canadian 13th seed Milos Raonic.
The 28-year-old will be bidding to join legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver with 11 major championship wins in what will be his 19th grand slam final.
For Federer, the three-and-a-half-year drought since he won his 17th slam at Wimbledon in 2012 continues.
Djokovic’s tennis in the opening set on Thursday night was as good as it gets.
