Novak Djokovic Thrashes Kei Nishikori to Set up Australian Open Semi-Final Clash With Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic thrashed an off-key Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours, seven minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach the Australian Open last four, where he will face his long-term rival Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic, five-time winner, downed Japan's Kei Nishikori on Tuesday to set up a much-anticipated Australian Open semi-final with Roger Federer. (Roger Federer Wins 300th Grand Slam Singles Match)
The world number one overcame an off-key Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours, seven minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach the last four. (My Bad! Roger Federer Sorry For Bernard Tomic Rankings Gaffe)
Djokovic will now face 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer in their 45th meeting with each player winning 22 times so far.
It will be 10-time major-winner Djokovic's 29th Grand Slam semi-final and sixth in Melbourne. (Djokovic Backs Andy Murray Over Baby Dash)
"It's always a great challenge to play Roger," Djokovic said of Thursday's semi-final. "You don't need to spend any words on his achievements, what he's done for the sport.
"He's a great champion, I have a lot of respect for him and we're going to have a good match."
Djokovic, with his win over Nishikori, is on a 19-match Grand Slam winning streak and has not lost at a major tournament since he was defeated by Stanislas Wawrinka in last year's French Open final.
The Serb's longest Grand Slam streak stands at 27, which helped him win titles at 2011 Wimbledon, the 2011 US Open and the 2012 Australian Open, and a runner-up finish at 2012 Roland Garros.
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Off-'Key' Nishikori's Hits and Misses
Djokovic only hit 11 groundstroke winners in disposing of Nishikori, who made a total of 54 unforced errors and had his service broken six times.
Nishikori looked well off his game and lost his service at 3-2 in the first set with a badly miscued double-fault.
Djokovic strung together nine straight points to take a grip on the set and wrapped it up off an overhit Nishikori forehand on set point.
The match deteriorated with both players guilty of volleying errors, but Nishikori's early service break proved decisive as Djokovic took a two sets lead with a strong first serve.
The world number one came under pressure after losing serve in the second game of the third set, only for Nishikori to hand back the break with a long forehand on break point.
Djokovic was again broken as Nishikori battled to get back into the contest at 3-1, only for the Japanese hope to again drop his next service.
Nishikori lost his third straight service game as the top seed powered to victory on his third match point with a lightning backhand winner.