Djokovic Dethrones Federer

Novak Djokovic inflicted another grand slam semi-final defeat on Roger Federer with a straight-sets triumph over the defending champion at the Australian Open.

Third seed Djokovic, who also beat Federer at the same stage of the US Open last year, prevailed 7-6 (7/3) 7-5 6-4 in exactly three hours.

After the Serb claimed a tight first set on a tie-break, second seed Federer appeared to have turned the match around when he opened a 5-2 lead in the second.

But the Swiss, a 16-time grand slam winner, then suffered complete meltdown, losing five games in a row to hand Djokovic a two-set lead.

And Djokovic came through a topsy-turvy third set, breaking for 5-4 and serving out victory on his third match point.

The 23-year-old, whose only major title came at Melbourne Park three years ago, awaits the winner of Friday's second semi-final between fifth seed Andy Murray and seventh seed David Ferrer.