Australian Open 2012: Roger Federer Beats Juan Martin Del Potro to Move Into Semifinals

Roger Federer reaches semi-finals of Australian Open 2012

Roger Federer progressed to the semi-finals of the Australian Open with an imperious straight-sets victory over 11th seed Juan Martin Del Potro.

The third seed needed just under two hours to complete a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win.

Del Potro was broken early in all three sets and had no answer to the variety of Federer's play, with the Swiss yet to lose a set in Melbourne.

Federer will play the winner of the quarter-final between second seed Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych.

"I thought it was a great match," said the 16-time Grand Slam champion after a fitting conclusion to his 1,000th match.

"I'm happy. It was tough with the sun and shade creeping across the court. Del Potro is a quality player and I was able to manoeuvre the ball around the court. I hope I can keep it up."

Federer, competing in his 31st straight Grand Slam quarter-final, had little trouble in disposing of the Argentine in their first meeting in a major tournament since Del Potro's victory in the final of the US Open in 2009.

The Swiss had a slight wobble in the second set, surviving four break points, before resuming his dominance to break in the opening game of the third set and bringing the match to a conclusion with a sumptuous backhand winner.