Jamie Murray into doubles final at Aussie Open

“I’ve played unbelievably first two sets, but that was necessary against Roger because I knew he would come out aggressively.”, said Djokovic.

The Serbian world number one, coming off an astonishing 2015 season which fell only one win short of a calendar-year Grand Slam, is zeroing in on a sixth Australian title in Melbourne.

“I was really just hitting all the right shots and making little to no errors and it’s kind of hard to play like that”.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams is one win away from another Grand Slam milestone after beating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-4 in an Australian Open semifinal that was nearly a non-contest between the players who’ll be Nos.

Djokovic will find out his opponent in the final when Davis Cup champion Murray and Raonic meet on Friday, starting at 8.30am GMT.

Federer saved another break point in the fifth game of the third set before producing his best tennis of the night, including a insane running crosscourt pass, to break Djokovic for 4-2 and drawing thunderous applause from the sellout crowd. A game later, he served out the twenty-two minutes opening set.

The match got delayed at the end of the third set as the roof was closed due to a forecast of imminent rain. Federer won it as Djokovic fired into the net following a lengthy rally, but crucially the Serb was able to recover and open up a 5-3 lead.

The first seven service outings had been held when Djokovic pounced with a break in a game that contained the match’s best point. The last time they met in a Grand Slam was the Wimbledon final in 2012, when Williams won in three sets.

Federer will be the sentimental favourite with the Australian crowd, who revere the Swiss for his past exploits on Rod Laver Arena where he has won four Australian crowns.

“When I play Roger it’s something that is expected, in a way, considering his career and his greatness on and off the court”, Djokovic said. “He’s loved, he’s appreciated, he’s respected around the world”, Djokovic said. He’s respected around the world. “For me it’s normal, in a way”.

In an interview with Rolling Stone prior to the start of the Australian Open, Becker revealed that Djokovic had been working on winning points, sets, and matches must faster in order to stay fresh in the late rounds of big tournaments.

“I have self-confidence as well, that doesn’t fade away very quickly”, Federer said. The schedule meant that her half of the draw got an extra day off at the beginning of the tournament, so Konta, who beat Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai on Wednesday, has to back up – as does Kerber – and play twice in two days.

But more than just numbers, it is a tantalising rematch that holds great importance to both players as they try to cement their place in history.

Play is under way at the Australian Open on Thursday, with a men’s doubles match involving Andy Murray’s older brother Jamie providing a prelude to the women’s singles semifinals.

Williams is the overwhelming favorite in her final against Kerber, and not just based on recent form.

The writing was on the wall for Radwanska – Williams had never lost a semi-final at Melbourne Park on her way to six titles, and had beaten the Pole in each of their previous eight meetings stretching back to 2008. If I dont win on Saturday, Ill still be one off.”Despite all her success, it is a loss that is inspiring Williams in this tournament.

She promised to do her best to prevent Williams from matching Graf’s 22 Grand Slam titles, saying “the Germans must be together”.