'Huge respect' - Djokovic praises ailing Federer after sweeping into final

vak Djokovic paid "huge respect" to old rival Roger Federer Thursday after he swept past ailing star and into a record eighth Australian Open final to move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown. In 50th instalment of one of sport's greatest rivalries, Serb shrugged off a tentative start to reinforce his recent dominance, showing mercy to injury-hit Swiss maestro in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3 win. He will play eir fifth seed Dominic Thiem or seventh-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final, but it will take a monumental effort to prise ar title from 32-year-old. Of seven Melbourne finals Djokovic has me, he has won m all. If any extra motivation was needed, winning on Sunday will see Serb reclaim number one ranking after Thiem sent Rafael Nal  packing in last eight.

"It's never easy to play Roger. I mean, obviously he was hurting. You could see it in his movement. Respect to him for trying his best," said defending champion Djokovic, who is into his 26th Grand Slam final.

"After losing first set, he got a medical (timeout). He came back and played all way through. It's unfortunate that he was t at his best." It was fourth time Djokovic h beaten Federer at semi-final st in Melbourne after doing same in 2008, 2011 and 2016.

Federer, 2018 champion, came into match carrying a groin injury that he picked up in his five-set, come-from-behind quarter-final win against Tennys Sandgren. He was seen around Melbourne Park before match with tape on his upper right leg and re were even rumours that he might pull out. But that is t in 38-year-old's nature -- he has only ever given up four walkovers in his long career and has never retired in more than 1,500 matches, facts that Djokovic said were "amazing" and deserved "huge respect".

Power and finesse

Djokovic was clear favourite after beating third seed in every Grand Slam meeting since Wimbledon 2012, but in ir 50th career clash it was Federer who initially set Rod Laver Arena alight. opening game, on Federer's serve, lasted six minutes in an indication of what might be in store. n against odds 38-year-old, oldest man in a Grand Slam semi since Jimmy Conrs in 1991, broke Djokovic on his first service game with an unbelievable backhand passing shot.

edge didn't last long with Serb immediately hitting back to even it up. But power and finesse of Federer game was troubling Djokovic, who was on back foot and was broken once more to go 4-1 behind. Federer h three break points to make it 5-1, but Djokovic dug deep to fend m off as he clawed back, breaking once more as Swiss was serving for set.

It went to a tiebreaker which second seed dominated to pull off a remarkable turnaround in a set that Federer threw away. Federer took a medical timeout at end of it and he wasn't moving freely in second set. But he clung on until he fluffed an easy shot at net to hand Djokovic set point at 4-5 and Serb cracked a top-quality crosscourt volley to go two sets to one in front. Djokovic was pumped and Federer rapidly running out of steam. When Swiss star was broken to go 4-2 behind in third, re was way back as his rival extended his winning record over him to 27-23.