Andy Murray sees off Roger Federer in semis - Stuff.co.nz

Andy Murray missed a chance to serve out the match in the fourth set, but finished off Roger Federer in the fifth.

A dejected Roger Federer during his post-match press conference.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to David Ferrer of Spain.

David Ferrer of Spain reacts during his men's singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Sloane Stephens of the United States of America plays a backhand in her Semifinal match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a backhand in her Semifinal match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.

Li Na swept Maria Sharapova aside 6-2 6-2 in the first semifinal at the Australian Open.

It was not Maria Sharapova's day, winning just four games in a straight sets loss to Li Na.

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand in his Quarterfinal match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France reacts in his Quarterfinal match against Roger Federer.

Andy Murray celebrates his win over Jeremy Chardy.

Andy Murray during his match against Jeremy Chardy.

Sloane Stephens of the US (R) shakes hands with compatriot Serena Williams after defeating her in their women's singles quarter-final match.

Serena Williams does the splits during her quarterfinals loss to compatriot Sloane Stephens.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates winning her Quarterfinal match against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia looks on after falling in her Quarterfinal match against Victoria Azarenka.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates defeating Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic.

Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates defeating Ekaterina Makarova.

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia plays a backhand in her Quarterfinal match against Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to compatriot Ekaterina Makarova.

David Ferrer of Spain reacts during his men's singles quarter-final match against compatriot Nicolas Almagro.

Nicolas Almagro of Spain (L) congratulates compatriot David Ferrer after Ferrer won their men's singles quarter-final.

Li Na celebrates her win over fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning the second set during his men's singles match against Milos Raonic.

Andy Murray signs autographs after his fourth round victory over Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Milos Raonic of Canada.

Serena Williams of the US serves to Maria Kirilenko of Russia.

Andy Murray of Britain celebrates defeating Gilles Simon of France.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrates making it into the quarter finals of the Australian Open.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (right) kisses Elena Vesnina of Russia after defeating her in their women's singles match at the Australian Open.

ictoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a return to Elena Vesnina of Russia during their women's singles match at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after his five-hour, two-minute five-set victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round at the Australian Open.

Ana Ivanovic is certain she is in good form despite exiting yet another major before the quarter-finals.

Maria Sharapova has lost just five games in her four wins at this year's Australian Open.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland celebrates defeating Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during their women's singles match at the Australian Open.

Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium.

David Ferrer of Spain serves to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their men's singles match at the Australian Open.

David Ferrer of of Spain plays a forehand in his fourth round match against Kei Nishikori.

Maria Sharapova (right) of Russia after her fourth round match against Kirsten Flipkens.

Angelique Kerber of Germany receives medical treatment during her women's singles match against Ekaterina Makarova.

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia hits a return to Angelique Kerber of Germany during their women's singles match at the Australian Open.

Gael Monfils is doubled over with exhaustion during his epic third round match against Gilles Simon.

Bernard Tomic and Roger Federer share a pat on the back after their third round match.

Caroline Wozniacki returns a shot during her third round win.

Serena and Venus Williams whisper tactics during their second round doubles match.

Frenchman, world number 36, Michael Chardy lines up the ball in his Australia Open third round victory over sixth-seed Juan Martin del Potro.

Andy Murray exclaims his satisfaction at beating Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in the third round of the Australian Open.

Victoria Azarenka hits a return to Jamie Hampton.

Jamie Hampton celebrates winning the second set during her women's singles match against Victoria Azarenka.

Novak Djokovic is at full strength during his win over Radek Stepanek.

Maria Sharapova celebrates her 6-1, 6-3 victory over Venus Williams.

Ana Ivanovic pumps her fist after beating fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic.

Tomas Berdych returns a shot during his match against Jurgen Melzer.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland plays a forehand in her third round match against Heather Watson of Great Britain.

Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return to Madison Keys of the US.

Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy of the American electro duo LMFAO attends the MLC Hotshots session at the Australian Open.

The pink and black shoes of Roger Federer.

Roger Federer picked up early breaks in each set to defeat Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets in Melbourne.

Bernard Tomic recovered from losing a first set tie-breaker to defeat German qualifier Daniel Brands in four sets.

Andy Murray plays a forehand in his second round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during day four of the 2013 Australian Open

Serena Williams of the United States of America plays a backhand in her second round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays a backhand in his second round match against Go Soeda of Japan.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a backhand in her second round match against Eleni Daniilidou of Greece.

Novak Djokovic lost just six games as he cruised to a straight sets victory over American Ryan Harrison.

Heather Watson of Great Britain celebrates with fans after her second round singles win.

Maria Sharapova waits for a serve from Japan's Misaki Doi during her second round roll-over.

Bob and Mike Bryan perform their trademark chest bump after winning their opening doubles match.

Sam Stosur exits Rod Laver Arena after her second round defeat to China's Zheng Jie

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic plays a backhand in his second round match against Guillaume Rufin of France.

Jerzy Janowicz exploded in rage after losing a 79-minute set to India's Somdev Devvarman.

Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a backhand in his second round match against Carlos Berlocq of Argentina.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain hits a return to compatriot Nicolas Almagro during their men's singles match at the Australian Open.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland hits a return to Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania.

Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia does the splits in her first round match against Yanina Wickmayer.

Roger Federer during his first round match against Benoit Paire of France.

Gael Monfils celebrates a point during his first round match.

Fans scramble for signatures from Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro.

No 1 seed Victoria Azarenka in action on day two.

Melbourne Park is lit up for the night session on day two.

Bernard Tomic keeps his eye on the ball.

Chair umpire Kerrilyn Cramer comes to the aid of Serena Williams after she fell heavily during her match against Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall.

Andy Murray returns a shot against Robin Haase on day two of the Australian Open.

Caroline Wozniacki in action during her first round match against Sabine Lisicki.

Novak Djokovic on his way to a first round straight sets victory.

Maria Sharapova serves during her first round win.

A packed house shows up to watch local Lleyton Hewitt's first round match at Rod Laver Arena.

Ana Ivanovic celebrates a point during her match against Melinda Czink.

Janko Tipsarevic celebrates his straight sets win over Lleyton Hewitt in the first round.

David Ferrer lies on court after throwing himself at a point during his first round win over Olivier Rochus.

Fan show their home town support on day one.

Lleyton Hewitt's returns a point during his loss to Janko Tipsarevic.

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Andy Murray set up an enthralling Australian Open final against world number one Novak Djokovic after a high-quality victory against Roger Federer.

The 25-year-old Briton, who had never beaten Federer in a grand slam previously despite being one of the few players to hold a superior career record against the Swiss, advanced to the final with a 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-2 win in four hours.

Murray had looked the more likely to win the match from the outset with a superior service game and aggressive shotmaking, but the 17-times grand slam winner proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by forcing a fifth set.

The US Open champion, however, got off to a storming start in the fifth, racing out to a 3-0 lead and after being two points from the match in the fourth set was not prepared to let the opportunity slip again.

"It's always tough against him. Slams are when he plays his best tennis," Murray said in a courtside interview. "When I was serving for the match at 6-5 in the fourth, he came up with some unbelievable shots.

"I didn't play the best tiebreak, it's hard when you're serving for a place in the final and a few minutes later you are into a fifth set."

SUPERB SERVICE

Murray produced a superb service game in the first set, broke in the third game and gave Federer only one break opportunity to take the first set 6-4 in 45 minutes.

Neither player was prepared to give any quarter in the second set as they thrusted and parried, punched balls down the tramlines, produced delicate drop shots and running cross-court passing shots from amazing angles to force a tiebreak.

Murray was the first to blink when he allowed Federer to a 4-1 lead and while he battled back to 5-5, Federer seized the opportunity from a mistimed overhead from Murray to level.

Murray quickly dismissed the disappointment of dropping the set, picking up his serve again and increasing the accuracy and power on his forehand.

He set up three break points in the sixth game, sealing it on his second, to take a 4-2 lead and then blasted through the next game to love to ensure he closed out the set two games later when he served his 16th ace of the match.

Federer jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set when he finally broke Murray's serve for the first time in the fifth game, but the Scot stormed back, levelled at 5-5 and was two points away from the match while serving.

The Swiss, through sheer force of will, forced a tiebreak and deciding set, though Murray powered through it in just 30 minutes as he broke in the opening game and held his own serve to love twice to set up the final against the Serb.

"He (Djokovic) plays his best tennis here, it's his third final in a row and I'll have to play pretty well," Murray said.

"I hope it's a painful match because that will mean it's a good one."

- Reuters

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