Preview: Roger Federer will attempt to reach his first Grand Slam final since 2015 at the Australian Open on Thursday, while Serena and Venus Williams are both gunning for the women’s title match. Federer’s major-winning days seemed over after first Novak Djokovic and then Andy Murray emerged at the top of the pecking order, but the Swiss legend, 35, has surprised everyone with his run to the semis. With Djokovic and Murray long gone, fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka is blocking Federer’s path to Sunday’s title match, where he intends to become the oldest major finalist since a 39-year-old Ken Rosewall at the 1974 US Open. [caption id=“attachment_3221038” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Roger Federer hits a shot at the Australian Open. Reuters[/caption] Federer, who last contested a major final at the 2015 US Open, has a 5-1 record against Wawrinka at Grand Slam tournaments but he is yet to lose in 13 meetings on hard courts, conceding only four sets. However, the hard-hitting Wawrinka – the Swiss number one, with Federer’s ranking at 17 after six months off with injury – will not roll over for his illustrious countryman as he looks for his fourth major title. “For sure, against Roger, it’s always special because he’s so good. He’s the best player of all time. He has an answer for everything,” said Wawrinka, 31. “But I have managed to beat him in a Grand Slam, so we’ll see. Most important is that I step on the court and I play my best tennis.” Miraculous Mirjana Despite Wawrinka’s breakthrough 2014 Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Federer will be the crowd’s sentimental favourite as he presses his claims for a record-extending 18th major crown. “If someone would have told me I’d play in the semis against Stan, never would I have called that one for me. For Stan, yes, but not for me,” Federer said. Federer also has the prize of a potential final against his old rival Rafael Nadal, who will play Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the other men’s semi-final on Friday. Thursday’s all-Swiss semi will follow Venus Williams’ match with hard-hitting fellow American Coco Vandeweghe, and Serena Williams against miraculous former prodigy Mirjana Lucic Baroni. The Croatian reached her last major semi-final at Wimbledon in 1999, when she was 17, but lost most of her career to personal trauma after being forced to flee an abusive father. She was in floods of tears and described the feeling as “pure ecstasy” after upsetting Karolina Pliskova in three sets to reach the semi-finals. “I will never forget this day and the last couple of weeks. This has truly made my life, and everything bad that happened, (it) has made it okay,” the 34-year-old said. Serena, who last played Lucic-Baroni at 1998 Wimbledon, when they were both 16, applauded the Croatian but she will have no room for sentimentality when they play on Thursday. Serena is seeking an Open-era record 23rd major title and a return to world number one – accolades she will want to achieve with her sister on the other side of the net.
Australian Open 2017, Semi-finals, as it happened: Roger Federer defeats Stan Wawrinka in five sets
It’s semi-finals day at the Australian Open! Will we see an all-Williams final? Follow our live blog for regular updates.
 "Australian Open 2017, Semi-finals, as it happened: Roger Federer defeats Stan Wawrinka in five sets")
Thank you so much for tuning in to our live coverage of the semi-finals from Day 11 of the Australian Open!
Make sure you follow our live blog tomorrow as well.
Two big matches to look forward to:
Sania Mirza/Ivan Dodig in the mixed doubles semi-finals and Rafael Nadal vs Girgor Dimitrov in the men’s singles semi-final.
A parting image before we sign off for the day
Order of play at the Australian Open on Friday (x denotes seeding):
Rod Laver Arena
9:30 AM IST
Samantha Stosur (AUS)/Sam Groth (AUS) v Sania Mirza (IND)/Ivan Dodig (CRO x2)
Not before 10:30 AM IST
Andrea Hlavackova (CZE)/Peng Shuai (CHN x12) v Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)/Lucie Safarova (CZE x2)
Not Before 2:00 PM IST
Rafael Nadal (ESP x9) v Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x15)
Ranking update:
Roger Federer moves to No 14 in the ATP rankings with the semi-final win. Will enter Top 10 if he lifts the trophy on Sunday.
So, who has the formula for the Elixir of Life?
#AusOpen singles finalists:
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) January 26, 2017
36 years, 7 months (Venus)
35 years, 5 months (Federer)
35 years, 4 months (Serena)
We live in a special age.
Let’s have a look at the final stats from the semi-final.
This post-match interview is worth a second watch.
Congratulations @rogerfederer #AusOpen 2017 finalist pic.twitter.com/eEansnTXUH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
If Rafael Nadal beats Grigor Dimitrov in the second semi-final, then both 2017 Australian Open finals will be a repeat of 2008 Wimbledon
Women’s final:
Venus vs Serena
Men’s final:
Federer vs Nadal
These are staggering numbers
Most appearances in Grand Slam singles finals:
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 26, 2017
28 - Federer
21 - Djokovic
(20) - Nadal
19 - Lendl
18 - Sampras
17 - Rod Laver
LOOK WHO’S BACK, BACK AGAIN!
@AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/lqLzuvVppx
— Christophe Bertschy (@SwissMinipeople) January 22, 2017
THE WINNING MOMENT
HE'S DONE IT! #Federer through to the final! His first #AusOpen final in 7 years! pic.twitter.com/sT4qgvW09b
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
Roger Federer wins!
The 17-time Grand Slam champion is through to his 6th Australian Open final with a 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over Stan Wawerinka.
Federer breaks for 4-2
TWO BREAK POINTS for Federer. Wawrinka threw in an error at the worst possible.
To make things worse, Wawrinka double faults and gifts the game to Federer. What a pity!
Federer walking a very tightrope right now
Federer at the moment pic.twitter.com/vPCScp8NCO
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 26, 2017
Federer escapes for 3-2
From 40-15, Wawrinka makes it 40-40. He fires a great serve down the tee to take advantage. Wawrinka smacks a forehand return at 144 kmph to make it deuce again.
Break point for Wawrinka as he wins a really long rally by staying patient and waiting for the Federer error.
Federer saves the break point and then smashes an overhead for advantage. He finally holds with a deft drop shot that falls short for Wawrinka.
Two close holds, 2-2
Federer has 0-30 on Wawrinka’s serve.
Stan throws in a slider that Federer can’t reach to make it 15-30. Federer shanks the next forehand and it’s 30-30.
Federer steps in to return Stan’s serve but overhits it by a massive margin. Game point for Wawrinka.
Wawrinka with a very tight hold, 2-2.
Whom are you praying for? Federer or Wawrinka?
#Mirka represents all Fed fan right now pic.twitter.com/dl3tZmsoLw
— Break Point (@BreakPointBR) January 26, 2017
Federer with a tight hold for 2-1
First break point of the 5th set goes Stan’s way. Federer not looking too confident out there.
Federer saves it after a long rally and then comes into the net to hit a sweet drop shot. Deuce.
Federer with the advantage after attacking Wawrinka’s forehand. Federer holds.
Okay, let’s do this! Into the 5th set we go.
Two quick holds from both Federer and Wawrinka. Roger serving first, holds at 15, Stan follows it with a love-hold.
Time to see what the numbers are saying after that turnaround from Wawrinka:
8-minute long-break between the two sets!
Stan #Wawrinka keeping warm while waiting for #Federer #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/V2LjYT1uNW
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
This is too close to call. Advantage Wawrinka as he has all the momentum by winning the last two sets.
5-set Records:
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) January 26, 2017
Federer 25-20
Wawrinka 25-19
Medical timeout for Federer
After the fourth set, Federer goes off court with the trainer for some treatment. Wawrinka waits impatiently for him to return.
Wawrinka wins 4th set 6-4
Wawrinka with three thunderous serves and he has 40-0 on serve. Three set points! He converts on his second. This match is going to a decider.
Wawrinka breaks for 5-4
0-30 on Federer’s serve. Window of opportunity opening up for Wawrinka.
He sees Federer coming in on the next point and passes him. THREE BREAK POINTS!
Federer saves two of those with very risky serves. Especially the on second break point – second serve down the tee.
Finally on the third break point, Wawrinka takes it with a bunted forehand cross court pass.
Wawrinka makes it 4-4
Nervy moments of the match now. Each game becomes even more important.
At 30-30 on Wawrinka’s serve, Federer is unable to keep his backhand inside the line. But he keeps up with Wawrinka’s barrage of backhands to make it deuce.
Wawrinka takes the advantage with a powerful serve and then holds for 4-4.
Wawrinka encourages Federer to challenge one point; and applauds the next Federer winner. Nice gestures both...
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) January 26, 2017
Here’s the fail Federer tweener from the earlier game.
TEMOS TWEENER de Roger #Federer! 🙌 🙌 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XyMfIp8ykM
— Raquetc (@raquetcom) January 26, 2017
Let’s take a look at what the numbers say after Wawrinka won the third set. Stan 20 of 26 points in the set.
#Federer v #Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 2-1 #AusOpen
— Craig O'Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) January 26, 2017
Total Rally Length So Far
0-4 Shots = 70%
5-8 Shots = 21%
9+ Shots = 9%
Normal numbers..
Federer breaks back
On Wawrinka’s serve, both of them played one of the points of the match!
Federer breaks on his second break point opportunity in the game, it’s back on serve in the 4th set.
Wawrinka breaks to start the 4th set
This match has suddenly gotten very interesting as Wawrinak hits a blistering backhand pass to break Federer in the very first game of the fourth set.
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