Australian Open: Novak Djokovic Denies Roger Federer Advancing To Final

Roger Federer will have to wait for another season for a title win in Melbourne Park after being knocked out of the competition by Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.

Djokovic now is a match away from extending his title-grab in Melbourne to a record-setting of the eighth Australian Open title and will have to defend the title that he won last season against either Dominic Thiem or Alexander Zevrev. 

The Serb, on making it into his eighth final appearance at the tournament, claimed a straight three sets, 7-6(1) 6-4 6-3 win over the Swede on their first meeting since Nitto ATP Finals at the O2 Arena last season. 

Federer looked well in control of the game in the first set that went into a tiebreak but was simply crushed by Djokovic who won five set points before the six-time won his only to concede a point afterward for a set loss. 

"I was playing with nothing to lose, obviously," said Federer about his inability to make it past Djokovic especially in the first set when he could have served him out. "I think I returned really well in the beginning. Got some really good connections going. Unfortunately, I was not able to serve it out."

The Swede last won the title in 2018 and began fell out of the contest and in keeping abreast of the game in the second as the Serb broke the deadlock at 4-4 for a two-game win to lead by two sets and wrapped the match up with a comfortable win in the decider.