Djokovic banishes Federer

Serbia star Novak Djokovic plays a return between his legs during this semifinal match against Swiss Roger Federer at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.Photo: AFP

Serbian young gun Novak Djokovic ended defending champion Roger Federer's record run of 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals to power into the Australian Open decider on Friday.
Third-seeded Djokovic confirmed his status as Federer's heir apparent with a tense 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win in two hours 28 minutes to set up an intriguing final on Sunday against unseeded French sensation Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
It will be the 20-year-old Serb's second consecutive Grand Slam final after losing to Federer in last year's US Open final.
For the Swiss great, it was his first semifinal loss at a Grand Slam since going down to world number two Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open and halted his 19-match unbeaten run at the Australian Open.
"It's amazing, an indescribable feeling to beat the number one player of the world, probably one of the best players this sport has ever had, in straight sets," Djokovic said.
"I'm very, very proud of myself.
"It's very difficult to play against a player who is so dominant on any surface and he's been so successful for the past couple of years.
"I'm just so amazed at how well I coped with the pressure, in the most important moments I played my best tennis."
Three-time winner and top seed Federer also lost the second of his five Australian Open semifinals on hardcourt after falling to Marat Safin 9-7 in the fifth set of their epic encounter in 2005.
Defeat ended his bid for now of improving on his Grand Slam titles, remaining two behind Pete Sampras' record of 14.
"He made the more important points today. It was a bit unfortunate for me, but he did play well and served really well when he had to," Federer said.
"There's no doubt I've played better in my life. I've not been really serving like the way I wanted to, maybe in the last few matches."
Djokovic advanced to the final without dropping a set in his six matches and stretched his winning streak on hardcourt to 10 matches.
It was his second win over the Swiss master in seven matches and his first at a Grand Slam.
Last year Djokovic reached the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon and was runner-up to Federer at the US Open where he squandered seven set points in the first two tiebreak sets before losing in straight sets in the final.
Federer broke Djokovic's serve in the seventh game when the Serb's backhand was wide, but he broke back as Federer was serving for the set.
Two volley errors cost the Swiss top seed and the youngster broke Federer a second time to take the opening set in 45 minutes.
Federer came under increasing pressure in the second set and went down a break in the fourth game when Djokovic came up with a super running backhand to pick up a sliced volley for a winner.
Djokovic pumped his chest in triumph on snaring the point and the break.
The Swiss again fell behind two break points in his next service game and Djokovic claimed it with a cracking forehand on the line to lead 5-1.