費德勒步納達爾後塵 無緣決賽
納達爾走了，費德勒也走了。繼前一天頭號種子納達爾止步澳網男單八強後，衛冕冠軍費德勒27日以6：7（3）、5：7和4：6不敵塞爾維亞名將焦科維奇，無緣男單決賽。這場澳網男單半決賽的失利，不僅意味着費德勒自2003年溫網奪冠以來首次連續四個大滿貫賽事中顆粒無收，同時也意味着過去三年來大滿貫賽男單桂冠被“費納”二人壟斷的局面終被打破。焦科維奇在男單決賽中的對手將是英國小生穆雷與西班牙人費雷爾之間的勝者。
First Rafael Nadal, now Roger Federer.
Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, was knocked out of the Australian Open 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday by 2008 champion Novak Djokovic.
Before the tournament Nadal was going for his fourth straight Grand Slam win and Federer was aiming for his fifth Australian title.
Instead, Nadal was eliminated by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and Federer is heading home. Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Ferrer in the final — they play on Friday.
"I'm looking forward to watching that match tomorrow from my bed with some popcorn," Djokovic said. "David played a fantastic match against Rafa even though Rafa was struggling obviously with injuries.
"They are in top shape. Andy has been in top shape on this court. It's a Grand Slam final, anything can happen. I believe in myself."
It will be the first time since 2003 that Federer will not hold any of the four major titles and the first time that neither Nadal nor Federer will feature in a Grand Slam final since the Australian Open in 2008, when Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
It will be the first time since 2003 that Federer will not hold any of the four major titles.
The finals scenario could open the door for Murray to become the first British Grand Slam singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936 when the final is played Sunday night at Rod Laver Arena.
"It's really one of the best matches I've played in a while," Djokovic said.
It is the second straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has knocked Federer out in the semis. At last year's U.S. Open, the Serbian player saved match points before beating Federer in five sets to advance to the final against Nadal.
The last time Federer was beaten in straight sets in a Grand Slam tournament was here in 2008 — against Djokovic.
Federer won 11 of 14 points to come back from a service break down to take the lead in the second set after the two traded tit-for-tat booming forehands and chip backhands during the opening set. But Djokovic broke back later in the second set and took his power strokes into the third set to win in an even three hours.
It was the 20th meeting of the pair. Federer still holds a 13-7 edge.
