Djokovic too strong for Federer, will play his eighth final

Novak Djokovic did not have much difficulty, Thursday, January 30, in beating Roger Federer (3^e), physically weakened, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3, and thus qualify for his 8^e final in Melbourne, where he won the seven previously played.

The title holder, looking for a 17^e Grand Slam trophy which would bring him closer to Federer's record (20) and Rafael Nadal's total (19), will face Dominic Thiem (5 on Sunday^e) or Alexander Zverev (7^e), opposed on Friday in the other semi-final.

"A great respect for him who came to play when he was in pain and he was very far from his level, because of his inability to move normally", greeted Djokovic about Federer, who has suffered from adductors since his quarter-final on Tuesday.

"I believed it to some degree, but I was afraid it would get worse. I played a bit with the handbrake. And it hurts the heart ", conceded Federer, who could not count on a final miracle in Melbourne.

27^e Grand Slam final for Djokovic

However, everything seemed possible at the start of the game, as the Swiss started the match on high, notably taking Djokovic's service twice in the first round. But the Serb did not let himself be impressed and managed not only to save other break points, but to pick up the score until this one-way tie-break in his favor.

"Things could have turned out differently if he had won these break points", analyzed the world number two, acknowledging having "Struggling to get into the game".

"With Roger, you know that the level will be very high. He is constantly putting pressure, especially by going into the net, and I am not as talented as him, so I had to try to prolong the exchanges ", he explained.

Federer tried to shorten the trade, but his adductors never allowed him to really worry Djokovic, who finally won in just 2:18, including almost half (1 h 2) for the only first run.

Djokovic now leads 27 wins to 23 in his confrontations with Federer, who remained on an indoor victory at the London Masters. And the Serbian will play, at 32, his 27^e Grand Slam final, catching up with Rafael Nadal. Only Federer (31) did better.