Djokovic beats Federer to reach Australian Open final

Champion Novak Djokovic foiled a stirring fightback from Roger Federer to defeat the Swiss 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Australian Open on Thursday and charge into a fifth successive Grand Slam final.

Storming to a two-set lead within an hour, Djokovic appeared destined to complete a stinging humiliation but the net-rushing Federer responded brilliantly in the third as a partisan crowd roared him on at a flood-lit Rod Laver Arena.

In a fourth set rivened by tension, Djokovic took Federer’s serve in the eighth game, benefiting from a lucky netcord that gave him a crucial break point, and served out the match to love in two hours and 19 minutes.

“Definitely I’ve played an unbelievable first two sets but that’s what is necessary against Roger,” Djokovic said courtside after setting up his sixth final at Melbourne Park against either Andy Murray or Milos Raonic.

“I knew he was going to be aggressive and try to mix up his pace and come to the net.

“I executed everything perfectly. A two-set lead is more comforting but it was a battle in the end.”