Australian Open 2016: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2016: Serb wins in four sets to reach the final

Djokovic produces some of his best ever tennis to thump his opponent in first two sets, and eventually come through 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to reach Australian Open final

• Djokovic approaches flawlessness in pummelling Federer

11:42

Report - bet your house on Djokovic winning calendar slam

Oliver Brown was in Melbourne for this one, and has filed his report.
With as flawless an hour of tennis as has ever been produced, Novak Djokovic surged a step closer to a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with this compelling four-set vanquishing of Roger Federer. The Swiss refused to be cowed by the pummelling he received during the first two stunningly one-sided sets, stirring rapture in the crowd with his third-set riposte, but he was ultimately powerless to deny a world No 1 who has never looked so supreme.
On this evidence, and his health permitting, one should stake the house on Djokovic completing a calendar grand slam in 2016 – an accomplishment of which Stanislas Wawrinka deprived him by a fraction last year.

11:30

More history

Djokovic has now reached the joint-third highest number of slam finals in the history of tennis.
The only men he trails are Federer and Nadal...

11:27

Djokovic too good once again

As with the Wimbledon and US Open finals, it wasn't quite the classic we were hoping for, but the match came to life in the third and fourth sets, where we were treated to some excellent tennis.
We also must not overlook the masterful brilliance of Djokovic in those first two sets, where he produced one of the best hours of tennis that we have ever seen in the history of the sport. It really was that good - Federer had absolutely no answer to what was coming at him.
Credit to the Swiss for coming back into the match in the third set, but you always felt to win from two sets down would be beyond him.


Looking at the stats, the first serve percentage from Roger needed to be higher if he was going to win, and as Greg Rusedski pointed out, he might have been better off making more approaches to the net.
All in all though Federer was pretty comprehensively outplayed, and Djokovic's possible final opponents Andy Murray and Milos Raonic will have been watching that with a great deal of trepidation.
Those two play tomorrow in the second semi-final, while Djokovic can put his feat up and relax. It would be a brave man who would bet against the Serb winning his sixth Australian Open title and 11th grand slam on Sunday.

11:10

Djoko speaks

Djokovic is interviewed by Jim Courier after the match, and says: "I played unbelievable in the first two sets, but that's what's necessary against Roger. He's been playing so well, I knew he'd try and be aggressive. But I executed perfectly, and after those first two sets it was a battle in the end.
Asked about the fourth-round struggle against Gilles Simon, Djokovic says: "In most slams I've won, I've had at least one very tough match, and the match agianst Simon made me focus on what I need to do better. At the end of the day, you need to make sure your convictions are stronger than your doubts.
"At the moment I'm at the peak of my career, and am enjoying it at the moment.

Why has tournament been the most successful for you? Nocak replies: "It was the first slam I ever won, so I always have this beautiful memory from 2008, and over the years I've been playing my best tennis here.
Murray or Raonic - what do you expect? "I'm expecting the unexpected. It will be a great match - Milos has improved a lot in the off-season and is feeling confident. On the other hand, Murray is a great quality player. Either way I'm looking forward to some rest time over the next couple of days."

11:00

Djokovic defeats Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

Two Fed errors have us at 30-0, and a missed service return make it 40-0 and three match points for the defending champion. He only needs one, as Federer puts a return into the net. Game, set and match.

10:58

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Djokovic breaks and will serve for the match

Great start to the game from Djokovic as he cracks away a forehand crosscourt pass, and he's up 0-30 with a backhand passing shot. Big fat danger signs for Roger now, but Novak nets a return off a fairly cagey Feds second serve. Rog needs a first serve here, and he has just produced one of the shots od well...ever! Djoko looks in complete control and has Federer moving this way and that, but somehow Federer wins the point with a flicked backhand winner down the line. 30-30. Djokovic shrugs off that loss though and wins the next two points after two doomed Federer ventures to the net to claim a break, and he will now serve for the match.

10:54

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Well it looked like half a chance for Roger at 15-15 and with Novak at the net, but the Serb hangs tough and comes up with a nerveless drop volley. Fed then can't the next two returns into play, and he'll serve next for the last time with the old balls. Could be a glimmer for Novak here.

10:50

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Fed serving with so much accuracy now, and two perfectly placed deliveries make it 30-15. A Fed backhand error though has us at 30-30, before Djok hands his opponent a rare gift and sprays an easy forehand long. The next Fed serve is again unreturnable, and that's game. We're into crucial seventh game time...

10:47

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Wonderful control from Djokovic, who doesn't do anything extraordinary but chucks in a very deep second serve and then keeps Fed stuck to the back of the court with relentlessly deep hitting to go up 30-15. Djok then comes up with an ace at 40-30, and he'll look to apply some pressure on the Fed serve in the next game.

10:43

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Stunning exchange to get Fed 30-0 up as he whips away a forehand winner after Djoko spectatcularly chased down an overhead. Two unretunable serves follow, and it's a love hold for Rog. The match just coming to the boil nicely now...

10:40

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Federer misses his first two returns of the game - that's six service returns he's missed in a row now. Rog does finally get a ball in play to take the next point, but he loses the next two and it's 2-1 Djokovic (in sets and games).

10:38

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Feds serve and volleying a little more now, and he uses the tactic to good effect to level the game at 15-15. An ace follows for 30-15, but ridiculous Djokovic depth leaves Federer helpless and it's 30-30. Good response though from the Swiss - an ace and an unreturnable serve from Federer secure the service hold.

10:35

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Federer moves 0-30 up, and it looks like the break is on. But two missed returns allow Djoker back in at 30-30, and a really poor Federer error off a weak Djok second serve allows the Serb to take a 40-30 lead. A fourth consecutive missed return then hands Djoko the game, and the Serb has got out of jail a little there.

10:32

We're back underway

The roof is closed, and Djokovic will serve to kick off the fourth set.

10:26

Stormy weather

The organisers have decided to close the roof, with storms forecast. So we'll have a little break while they do that.
Federer would probably have wanted to carry on and maintain the momentum from that third set, but at the same time an indoor match could suit him (though Djoko is pretty darn strong indoors as well!).

10:21

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 6-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Federer wins third set

The pair exchange the first two points of the game to make it 15-15 before an uncharacteristic forehand error from Djok gives Fed the lead at 30-15. Djok though hits back with an immaculate backhand down the line for 30-30. Huge point coming up, and Mirka can barely watch. Hats off to Federer, he's served and volley off a second serve, and an unsettled Djokovic goes long with his return. 40-30, set point Federer. Perfect again though from Djokovic who sends a forehand howitzer over to make it deuce. Fed responds quite brilliantly, and a forehand passing shot winner brings up a second set point. The Swiss is agonisingly close to taking this one, but a serve is millimetres out, and then Djoko wins the point when Fed misses a forehand. Another big serve though brings up set point number three. Can he take this one? yes he can! Djokovic misses a forehand, and we're into a fourth set.

10:14

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djok still serving well, and he comes up with an ace that just tickles the outside edge of the line to make it 40-15. A Fed error wraps up the game, and he will now have to serve out the third set.

10:10

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 5-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

It would be so typical of Djokovic to break immediately back after that game, and he's 15-30 up after forcing Federer to go long with a forehand. The Swiss maestro responds with an ace down the T, and a sensational off forehand winner down the line that sped at more than 100mph across the Melbourne court gives Fed a point for 5-2. And he's taken it. Fed is off the canvas, and we may be heading for a fourth set.

10:07

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server) - Federer breaks after marathon game

Djoko's first double of the match gives Fed the smallest of glimmers at 15-15. Oh hello! It's 15-30 when a gorgeous Fed backhand down the line is beyond even Djokovic. Fed's first 15-30 all match. And now his first 15-40, and indeed his first break points. It's a stunning exchange to get there as well, as Rog stands firm at the net and nails a couple of volleys as Djok looks to come up with another pass. Djok saves the first one with a big serve down the middle, and Fed can't convert the second as he goes long with a forehand. Back to deuce. And now back to break point, and Feds chips and charges off the Djok second serve and gets his reward when the Serb hooks his attempted backhand pass wide. Again it's on the Federer racket, but he's just long with an attempted forehand winner down the line. Agonising miss. And Djok looks to make him pay on the next point, forcing Fed into missing with a stretched forehand, and it's advantage Djokovic. Fed not going away though, and a beautiful drop shot outfoxes Djokovic and has us back to deuce. Deuce number four follows as Federer responds to an ace with a nailed forehand return. And the game see-saws again, as a Djokovic ace is followed by a stunnning Federer backhand return winner down the line. And then that is the shot of the match! Oh my word! Djokovic plays what looks like a perfect drop volley, and Federer at 34 years of age hares across the court to somehow get to the ball and flick it crosscourt for a winner. Unbeliveable. And he gets the break on the next point! Djokovic is forced to go wide with a forehand, and for the first time all match, Federer has broken.

09:53

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 3-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

The serve-volley tactic is really not working for Rig, and another return down at Federer's boot-laces force him into an error to make it 30-30. The next point is utterly outrageous, as Djokovic threads a feather-light forehand crosscourt passing shot agonisingly beyond Federer's reach to bring up 30-40 and break point. Roger responds in style though, thwacking away a smash and then a drive volley to move up advantage. Djok then puts a forehand into the net, and Federer holds on.

09:50

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Another ace from Djokovic brings up 40-0, and Feds can't control an unretunable serve down the T, and that's another love hold. Good grief. A penny for the thoughts of Andy Murray and Milos Raonic, who are playing tomorrow for the chance to face Djokovic in the final.

09:48

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 2-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

For the first time in a set this match, Fed holds his first two service games. It's a comfortable hold, finished off with a well-placed forehand volley, and the crowd roars as if he's just won a set. Djokovic is playing unbelievably well, but as ever the crowd is entirely with his opponent, even more so due to the thrashing he's being given.

09:44

Federer* 1-6, 2-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Unbelievable athleticism from Feds to nail a backhand volley on the stretch, which makes it 15-15. Is this a tiny glimmer of a chance? Nah, Djoko somehow wins the next point from a seemingly impossible position, and Federer sprays a backhand wide to make it 40-15. An ace wraps up the game, and Feds is yet to have a break point. I'm not sure he's even had so much as a 30-30.

09:40

Federer 1-6, 2-6, 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Rog desperately trying to stay alive here, and he has to produce a terrific off forehand winner to make it 30-30. Djok is then long with a backhand, and it's 40-30. A long forehand return from Djok then means it's game Federer. The comeback is on!!!

09:35

Federer* 1-6, 2-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server) - second set Novak

Perfection, absolute perfection. A subdued crowd is barely making a noise, and Djokovic wraps the set up with a love hold.

09:32

Federer 1-6, 2-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Federer saves a set point and holds

Federer has won 14% of his second serve points! Not since the 2008 French Open final against Nadal where he won just four games has Federer been hammered like this. He's still fighting though and nails a tough overhead to go up 30-15. A backhand winner gives Feds 40-30, but Djoko is not feeling charitable, and he nails a backhand winner down the line for deuce. A crunching forehand then has Djokovic up advantage, and set point. Feds saves it though with a winning smash - rest assured though that Djok had already chased down a couple of balls he had no right to get to. Another set point comes and goes when Djokovic puts a forehand return into the net, and Fed does claim the hold with a couple of big first serves.

09:26

Federer* 1-6, 1-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic has Federer on a strong here, and he moves him this way and that before easing a backhand winner into the open court to make it 30-0. Fed tries to make a game of it, but a sliced backhand fails to hit its mark, and a backhand error into the net means it's game Djokovic.

09:22

Federer 1-6, 1-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Djokovic breaks

You have to feel for Federer - he plays a pretty much perfect point at 15-0, and yet somehow still loses the point when Djokovic chases down a forehand and then produces a perfect backhand winner. Fed looks deflated and Novak reels off the next three points to break again to 15. Federer is trying to get to the net, but the result is identical, with Novak having the answers to absolutely everything his opponent is throwing at him.

09:18

Federer* 1-6, 1-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Mats Wilander suggesting on commentary that Federer could try soft-balling Djoko and chuck him some junk, a la Gilles Simon in round four. Feds though continues to try and hit through his opponent, and a winner and an error make it 15-15. An unreturnable serve and a Fed forehand error make it 40-15, before Fed hits back with a perfect knifed backhand volley to reduce the arrears to 40-30. A body serve though wraps up the hold, and Djokovic is serving absolutely immaculately here.

09:13

Federer 1-6, 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Djokovic breaks

Djoko taking the returns on so early, and the ball is thudding back to Federer barely after he's finished his service action. A couple of excellent returns have Djoko up at 0-30, and he breaks to love after a running forehand winner and a Federer error. This is an absolute demolition job.

09:11

Federer* 1-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Even by Djokovic's standards, this is fantastic. He's rarely served this well in his career, and a couple of aces help him to another love hold. Federer is on the edge of a cliff here, desperately clinging on for dear life.

09:08

Federer 1-6, 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Federer tries to vary things up by serve and volleying at the start of the second set, but the outcome is much the same. Djokovic forces him into more errors and has a break point at 30-40. Credit Feds though, he produces a big serve, forehand winner one-two punch to save the break point and then claims the hold when Novak is wide with a backhand. 'Allez' screams Federer as he clings onto his serve.
Remember Federer has only ever beaten Djokovic once when he's lost the first set.

09:03

Federer* 1-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server) - First set Novak in 22 minutes

Oh, this is ridiculous! Federer gets to 15-15 and does everything right to push Djokovic right into the corner, but the Serb responds with the shot of the match so far and whips a forehand crosscourt winner flying past the 17-time slam champion. Federer nets his return on the next point to make it 40-15, but comes up with another excellent overhead to save the first set point. No mistake on the second one though, as an unreturnable first serve wraps up the set in 22 minutes. What a start from Djokovic - surely Federer can't have lost many sets in 22 minutes in his career.

08:59

Federer 1-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Djokovic breaks

Djoko is motoring here, and he forces Fed to go long with a forehand to make it 0-30. Fed responds brilliantly with a tricky overhead to make it 15-30, but a wild backhand makes it 15-40, and two more break points. Again Nole only needs one, forcing Federer into a forehand that crumples into the bottom of the net. Wow, this is sensational from Djokovic. Less than 20 minutes gone!

08:55

Federer* 1-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Federer really can't do any damage on these baseline exchanges, and a couple of errors see Djok quickly up to 40-0. The Swiss though unleashes on the next point and crunches a forehand return winner that almost reaches 100mph. Djok is then errant with a backhand, but he holds when Fed nets a fairly regulation forehand.

08:51

Federer 1-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Three big first serves give Federer a 40-0 lead, and he wraps up a love hold when Djoko is long with a forehand. The Swiss maestro is on the board!

08:49

Federer* 0-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Fed starts well with a slightly unorthodox sliced backhand return winner, but Djokovic hits back with an ace and some more huge hitting off both wings to take a 40-15 lead. It gets even better for Novak, as he whips a forehand pass down the line to take a 3-0 lead after just seven minutes of play. Ominous stuff from the world No 1 here.

08:45

Federer 0-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server) - Djokovic breaks!

Uh-oh, Fed is already in trouble. Djokovic bossing things from the back of the court, and some macho hitting moves him up to 15-40 and two break points. He only needs one, as Federer goes for too much with a forehand that sails wide.

08:42

Federer* 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

An ace, a Fed forehand error, a Djok running backhand pass, and un unreturnable first serve wrap up a love hold for Djokovic.

08:40

Play

We're underway. Federer won the toss and elected to receive...

08:35

Players are on court

They're on, they're knocking up. Play underway very soon...

08:33

Nearly there

'Gallant in green' is a pretty ludicrous description, but anyway here's the scene at Melbourne Park...

08:23

Fatigue

Looking at those routes to the semi below, one thing that's quite striking is that Djokovic has spent nearly three-and-a-half hours more on court than Roger at the tournament.
You wouldn't expect Djoko to ever really feel fatigue, but it's certainly an advantage for Federer to have spent so little time, relatively speaking, on court.

08:15

The story so far

Both men have had pretty serene runs to this stage, with Federer dropping just the one set - against Grigor Dimitrov in the third round. The Swiss maestro was in imperious form in his straight-sets dismantling of Tomas Berdych in Tuesday's quarter-final.
Djokovic had an almighty scare in an error-strewn fourth-round match against Gilles Simon when he was taken to five sets, but other than that the Serb has not been unduly taxed. And he looked to have put that performance behind him in a comprehensive beating of Kei NIshikori in the quarter-final.

08:01

Frontrunner

Only once has Federer beaten Djokovic when having lost the first set (and never at a slam), so it's absolutely paramount he starts well and wins the opener tonight.
At both the US Open and Wimbledon finals, Federer lost the first set and gave so much in winning the second that he didn't have enough left for the third and fourth.

07:57

Laying down the Law

BBC Radio 5 live and Tennis Podcast presenter David Law has written in to say: Chris Clarey has convinced me. Federer.
Clarey of the New York Times did make a very convincing case for Federer on the latest epiode of the Tennis Podcast, but still I can't see past Novak .

07:39

We meet again (for a 45th time)

As you've probably heard this is the 45th meeting between these two players, and they are locked on 22-22 in the head to head.
Interestingly, Djokovic has never been ahead in the rivalry. Can he change that today?

07:33

Hello

Greetings, Charlie here.
Slightly annoyingly I also think Djokovic will win in four sets, which looks a little like I've copied Ben.
But anyway here's my prediction: Djokovic to win 7-5, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

07:30

Prediction time

So what does everyone think is going to happen in this match?
I, Ben Bloom, am going to go with Djokovic in four sets: 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
But Charlie Eccleshare is the man who will be steering this ship in about 10 minutes' time so send your predictions to him on Twitter @cdeccleshare.

07:00

The necessities

Money - check
Phone - check
Ticket - check
Double length peg extension thingy to carefully lower my cap down to tennis player head height - check

06:30

It begins

Hi folks, good morning if you're reading in the UK, good afternoon if you're reading in Beijing and good evening if you're reading in American Samoa.
Charlie Eccleshare will be with you in about an hour but there's been plenty of stuff happening over in Melbourne already today and top of the bill (from a British perspective) is Johanna Konta. The British No 1 had enjoyed a dream couple of weeks in Australia but her run finally came to an end with defeat against Angelique Kerber in the semi-final.

Kerber will now lose to play Serena Williams in the final and you can read about her defeat of Konta courtesy of our man in Melbourne Simon Briggs:

Johanna Konta’s dream run at the Australian Open is over, after a 7-5, 6-2 defeat at the hands of seventh seed Angelique Kerber.
Konta had already taken out two seeds on her way to this semi-final , and in a first-set sequence that saw her claim four successive games, she showed why many of the leading players are now looking at her with concern.
An encouraging aspect of Konta’s strong form over the last seven months – which has delivered 32 wins from her last 41 matches – is that even her losses tend to be competitive losses. She always turns up ready to play and ready to fight, which is not such a given on the women’s tour as you might imagine.

15:00

Preview

Charlie will be in at about 07.30am on Thursday morning to bring you all the action, with the players due on court at 08.30.
In the meantime, have a read of the articles above and our preview below.

Novak Djokovic believes beating Roger Federer is as tough a task as it has ever been as the rivals prepare for another grand slam showdown at the Australian Open.
Djokovic and Federer will face off for the 45th time when they clash in the semi-finals in Melbourne after both came through their last eight matches in straights sets on Tuesday. Djokovic eased past Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2 6-4 while Federer beat Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 6-4.
The head-to-head between the pair currently lies firmly in the balance at 22 wins each but Djokovic has the edge in recent match-ups, winning their last three meetings in grand slams.
The Serb has usurped his fiercest rival at the top of men's tennis but Federer, now 34, has enjoyed a renaissance, producing some of his best form in recent months and reaching two grand slam finals last year.

"You have to be on the top of your game because he hasn't really dropped the level at all I think in the last seven, eight years that I've been playing against him," Djokovic said.
"He's been playing always consistently well. I think his backhand is better than it was maybe five, six years ago.
"So he's playing some terrific tennis on the hard court. This is going to be a big challenge for both of us."
Federer continues to chase an 18th grand slam title, with his last having come in 2012, while Djokovic is trying to close the gap as he sits on 10.

Victory at the Australian Open would move the top seed level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11, and Rafael Nadal is also within sight, four clear on 14.
"I've played these guys (Federer and Nadal) so many different occasions. I've battled them for the biggest titles in sport," Djokovic said.
"These two guys made me the player also I am today. I think these rivalries have allowed me to grow and to evolve and to understand what it takes to be on the level that they are on.
"They've been dominating tennis before Andy Murray and myself came along for many years. It took a while to get in the mix.

"It keeps going. Roger is playing really terrific tennis in last two years. We played two grand slam finals last year. I know very well how good he plays, especially in the later stages of a major event.
"He always makes you play your best. My best is what is going to be necessary to win against him. Hopefully I'll be able to deliver."
Djokovic came out on top when the pair played in last year's finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and the suspicion remains that the Serbian, six years Federer's junior, holds the physical advantage over five sets.
"Yeah, maybe. The longer the match goes, maybe I have slightly bigger chance," Djokovic said.
"But I don't think there's too big of a difference physically. He's been winning quite comfortably this tournament. He's pretty fit. He moves very well.

"I don't still think it's something I can heavily rely on."
Federer has reached three grand slam finals since he lifted the Wimbledon title in 2012 but title number 18 has so far proved elusive.
"It's part of the reason why I guess I'm still playing," Federer said.
"I feel like I'm competitive at the top, I can beat all the guys on tour. It's nice now that in the last three slams that I've been as consistent as I have been.
"I'm playing good tennis, fun tennis for me anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day so I'm very pleased.
"It would mean a lot to me, no doubt about it."