Federer reaches Australian Open semifinals
Switzerland's Roger Federer overcame a challenge from American James Blake 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the Australian Open semifinals.
The win puts the world number one step closer to a third consecutive championship, which would also put him within grasping distance of Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles.
He will face Serbia's Novak Djokovic, the third seed, in the semifinal. The Serb beat Spain's David Ferrer in the day's other men's quarterfinal in three easy sets, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.
Meanwhile, Federer's main rival, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, has lost his semifinal match against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6, 3-6, 2-6.
In a major upset on Thursday, 38th-ranked Tsonga smashed 17 aces against one of the best serve returners in the game.
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