Federer is currently the tournament favourite.(credit:
Bet365)
Roger Federer will be looking to avenge his 2008 Australian Open semi-final defeat against Novak Djokovic on ThursdayRoger Federer and Novak Djokovic are both on top form at the moment, and Thursday’s Australian Open semi-final promises to be thrilling. Federer is currently considered to be the tournament favourite, and will be looking to capitalise on this opportunity to win another Slam. Djokovic, a Slam winner here in 2008, will also fancy his chances.
These two players know each other well, and have met 19 times in official competition to date. Federer leads his head to head with the Serb 13-6, and has a three-match winning streak against him. Djokovic will need to produce a better display than he did in London, where the pairing last met. Federer won that game 6-1, 6-4.
Even so, the No. 3 seed is a major threat to Federer’s title challenge. He beat Federer in last year’s U.S Open semi’s in an intense five-setter, and also won their most recent Australian Open matchup back in 2008.
Federer enters this match off the back of a breathtaking 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 thrashing of Stanislas Wawrinka. Following his defeat against Djokovic in the U.S Open, Federer has been playing some of the best tennis of his career, and this result was yet another demonstration of what he can do. Djokovic defeated Tomas Berdych in the quarters, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1. The fact that Berdych was only competitive in one of the sets speaks volumes. Djokovic means business here.
The atmosphere in the Rod Laver Arena should be incredible on Thursday. The stakes don’t come much higher than this, and either player could realistically succeed. The winner of this match will face either Andy Murray or David Ferrer in the final.
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