Switzerland's Roger Federer leaves the Rod Laver Arena after losing to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their Men's singles semi final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- No. 1- ranked Roger Federer will have an opportunity to begin a new streak of Grand Slam finals appearances and continue his chase after Pete Sampras' Grand Slam wins record in Paris after No. 3-ranked Novak Djokovic swept the Swiss 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the Australian Open semifinals Friday.

    Federer, who had been seeking his third consecutive title here, didn't look like the same player who has won 13 majors. The emotional Djokovic had a lot to do with that, hitting 13 aces and 50 winners, largely avoiding the nerves that have occasionally troubled him.

    Djokovic now will face unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals Thursday, in Sunday's final.

    "I am just very amazed I coped with the pressure today," Djokovic said. "In the most important moments I played my best tennis."

    Despite a 1-5 record against Federer that included a loss in the U.S. Open final in September, Djokovic was far from intimidated on a muggy night in a packed Rod Laver Arena, even after getting broken in the first set.

    Federer, who is usually at his best as the pressure builds toward the end of a set, pulled ahead at 5-3 only to be stunned as Djokovic ran off the last four games, with the Swiss star hitting backhands long on the last two points of the set.

    The two men combined to fend off seven break points early in the third set. Federer had two chances to break as Djokovic served at 5-6, but the Serbian refused to crack, hitting two great serves, then getting to a drop for a forehand crosscourt winner to force a tiebreaker.

    From 3-3, the two players combined for five straight winners, the last a good serve by Djokovic that set up match point. Federer netted a forehand to finish it in 2 hours and 48 minutes.

    (Agencies)

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