Novak Djokovic is favourite to beat Andy Murray in the semi-final of the 2012 Australian Open(credit:
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray is the second semi-final at the 2012 Australian Open, with Djokovic favourite to beat the world number four
Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated fifth seed David Ferrer of Spain 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-1 on Wednesday to set up an Australian Open semi-final against fourth-seeded Scot Andy Murray, which will be a repeat of last year's title match.
Djokovic, who has reached his seventh straight Grand Slam championship semi-final, is now one victory shy of 400 match wins in his career (399-111 overall).
The World No. 1 broke Ferrer's serve in the fifth game and maintained the lead to clinch the 58-minute opener on his second set point opportunity.
The Serbian's greater groundstroke power meant he was quick to take a 2-0 lead in the second set, but Ferrer won the next three games as Djokovic struggled with a hamstring injury and breathing difficulties. Djokovic broke serve in the 11th game at 30/40, when Ferrer hit a forehand into the net. Ferrer bounced back immediately when Djokovic hit a forehand long at 15/40 in the next game.
Ferrer won the first two points of the tie-break and opened up a 4-2 lead, before he made two forehand errors. Djokovic grew in confidence and fired two successive forehand winners to wrap up the 76-minute set.
In the third set, Djokovic raised his game by wearing down Ferrer in lengthy baseline rallies to lead 3-0. He broke Ferrer's serve for a second time at 1-4, 30/40, when Djokovic hit a forehand winner down the line.
Minutes later Djokovic held serve to 15 for his 30th match win at Melbourne Park (30-5 record). Djokovic hit 35 winners and three aces, converting five of his 12 break point opportunities for victory in two hours and 44 minutes.
Djokovic now leads Ferrer 7-5 in their FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series, having avenged his round robin loss to the 29-year-old Spaniard at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. The 24-year-old Djokovic has won 28 tour-level titles and four major championship trophies.
"I played a good game," said Ferrer. "I had my chance in the second set, in the tie-break maybe at 4-5. But when I lost the second set, he played better than me. I am happy with my game."
Ferrer, who reached the Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Murray) last year, lifted his 12th ATP World Tour title at the Heineken Open (d. O. Rochus) two weeks ago.
Bet & Watch on the Australian Open live online at bet365 > Live Streaming Tennis