Novak Djokovic put a scrappy start behind him to see off 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer in straight sets to progress to the Australian Open final.
There was an early break for Federer to take a 2-0 lead over the Serb, the break won by a sublime backhand down the line through a gap that didn't seem to exist. Federer defying physics to break serve, he needed much more of that throughout the match.
Threads it down the line! @rogerfederer breaks for a 2-0 lead over Djokovic in the opening set.#AO2020 | #AusOpen | @channel9 | @espn pic.twitter.com/9hEBS91bCU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2020
That was the first of three consecutive service breaks before Federer held for a 4-1 lead. Federer was on the brink of another break but Djokovic defended his serve from 0-40 down through a couple of deuces and a ludicrously tight successful hawkeye review for 4-2.
Service breaks continued through the set, and even service holds were frequently frantic, with Federer being taken to 0-40 before retaining his serve for a 6-5 lead in the set.
After the madness of the first 12 games of the set, Djokovic won the tie break in a most straightforward manner 7-1.
Pressure
There was a much more standard start to the second set with nine consecutive service holds, although Federer was under more pressure than the gluten-free Serb.
In the tenth game, Federer led 40-15 but relinquished his serve and the second set to Djokovic in a matter of just three points and from there the writing was on the wall for the 20-time grand slam champion.
The first break of the third set came in the sixth game. Just like the end to the second set, Djokovic forced deuce despite Federer leading 40-15. The Serb took the game to lead 4-2 and that was effectively the match.
Federer attempted to pressure the serve of the reigning champion, but with only moderate success. The remaining three games went with serve and Djokovic reaching the final again in straight sets.
Djokovic has only dropped a single set in the tournament and has never lost an Australian Open final. Dominic Thiem or Alex Zverev will try to stop him.
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