Australian Open 2017, Semi-finals, as it happened: Roger Federer defeats Stan Wawrinka in five sets

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)

Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams sets up dream final against sister Venushttp://www.firstpost.com

Australian Open 2017: Age-defying Venus Williams ends Grand Slam final droughthttp://www.firstpost.com

Roger Federer is the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam final since Ken Rosewall did so at the 1974 US Open at the age of 39.

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?

Let’s have a look at the final stats from the semi-final. 

This post-match interview is worth a second watch.

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

LOOK WHO’S BACK, BACK AGAIN!

THE WINNING MOMENT

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.

Wawrinka holds at 15 and now Federer will serve for a place in the final at 5-3.

Federer is just a game away from making the final. He quickly holds at 15 and now leads 5-2. This set has swung on it’s head very quickly.

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!

Wawrinka is absolutely crushing the forehand right now. Massive weapon for him. Meanwhile, Federer returns to serve-and-volleying in that last service game and it pays dividends.

Federer walking a very tightrope right now

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?

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!

This is too close to call. Advantage Wawrinka as he has all the momentum by winning the last two sets.

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.

Both Federer and Wawrinka are striking the ball beautifully now. This has become such an engaging battle between both their backhands. Lots of long rallys but quick service holds as well. Federer holds for 4-3.

Here’s the fail Federer tweener from the earlier game. 

Two quick holds from both players and we are at 2-2 in the 4th set. Federer seems to have refocused, Wawrinka pumped after winning the third set.

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 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.

Wawrinka wins 3rd set

Stan The Man races away with the 3rd set, winning it 6-1 with a double break in just 25 minutes.

Wawrinka leads 5-1

Federer has had a bit of lapse in concentration in the third set. Wawrinka has one more break point at 4-1. Federer sends his forehand sailing long and gets broken again.

Wawrinka holds at 15 to consolidate his break. 4-1.

Well. Wawrinka isn’t fading away in the third. The stats from the match so far.

Wawrinka leads 3-1 in third set

The third set starts off with two easy holds by both Federer and Wawrinka. 

Stan holds and then has THREE BREAK POINTS on Federer’s serve. 

He misses the first by overcoooking his forehand and sending it long. 

On the second break point, Federer’s full-stretch half-volley kisses the net and falls on the other side but Wawrinka rips it for a backhand winner. He leads 3-1.

Wawrinka takes a medical timeout

At the end of the 2nd set, Stan goes off court ot get some treatment. He returns with a big strap on his right knee. Hopefully, the injury/niggles isn’t too bad and doesn’t hamper his performance.

Federer’s record after winning the first two sets at a slam:

Overall: 249 wins and only two lossesrecord

At Aus Open: 69 wins and zero losses

Federer leads 7-5, 6-3

Federer wins the second set to open a two-sets-to-love lead over Wawrinka. One set away from the final.

THREE SET POINTS for Federer on his own serve as he rushes to 40-0.

He only needs one as he serves down the tee, and then hits a forehand winner down the line to seal the second set.

Love-hold from Wawrinka and he makes it 5-3. Federer now serving for the second set.

Federer has been moving quite well today. Especially when he’s rushing to the net. 

One of the best points off the first set that helped Federer win it 7-5. Watch!

A super quick consolidation from Federer and he’s one game away from winning the second set. His serve is clicking now and he’s getting easy winners off it. 5-2.

Federer breaks for 4-2

After holding for 3-2, Federer gets to 0-30 on Wawrinka’s serve with two sizzling backhand winners.

Stan makes it 15-30 with an unreturnable serve. 

TWO BREAK POINTS for Federer as Wawrinka makes an unforced error on his backhand return. Saves one with a classic 1-2 serve and winner strategy. 

Federer converts the second with smart use of the backhand slice and Wawrinka slams his racquet in frustration.

Here’s one for the stat lovers:

Federer has 277 wins to 13 losses when he has won the opening set. But, one of those 13 losses was to Wawrinka.

Federer 2-2 Wawrinka

Second set starts off with both players holding serve twice with relative ease.

Watch what Andy Roddick had to say about this semi-final:

Here’s a look at the numbers from the opening set:

Important stat:

Federer is slicing 35% of his backhands while Wawrinka is only using the slice for 11% of his points. Stan relying more on top spin but couldn’t handle the slice in the last game.

Federer takes opening set 7-5

Only one break of serve in the first set and it went Roger Federer’s way.

Federer breaks!

Beautiful pick up by Federer at the net and he threads the pass past Wawrinka. Wins the first point on his serve. 

Federer tries to come into the net on the second point, and this time Stan passes him with a backhand. 15-15.

Stan tries to serve and volley but sends his backhand return long. Wins the next point with a good serve. 30-30.

More drama as Wawrinka challenges his backhand down the line and it was just millimetres out. 

SET POINT FOR FEDERER! And he takes it.

Federer doesn’t usually get his challenges right but he got this important one bang on…

Federer saves a break point for 6-5

Wawrinka surprises Federer with a popping backhand and he nets his return. 

Break point. Federer can’t make his first serve and puts a tame second one in the box. He gets Wawrinka on the run with two huge forehands and escapes. 

After getting to advantage, Federer stops play mid-way to challenge a Wawrinka backhand return on the baseline. Fortunately for him, Stan’s shot was long and Federer holds.

Wawrinka levels the set at 5-5

Federer managed to get to 40-30 on Wawrinka’s serve but then got passed at the net by his opponent after a lovely rally. The unforced errors are piling up for the 17th seed. 

Federer to now serve at 5-5.

Federer holds for 5-4

Roger’s service games are getting easier for him as the match progresses. He’s up 5-4 and now Wawrinka will serve to stay alive in the opening set. Federer will try and put pressure on his serve.

Federer fans, look away…

What a fabulous point! The tennis in this match so far has been of a very high level, with both players exchanging backhands and hustling to the net. It’s 4-4.

Federer living dangerously

At 15-30, Stan had a great opportunity to set up two break points but Federer gets lucky with a net cord and Wawrinka dumps his return into the net.

Federer comes up with two sensational backhands to hold for 4-3.

Federer’s getting to the net, rushing Wawrinka six times in the match already and he’s won four points of those. Wawrinka has hit 3 aces so far to Federer’s one.

Wawrinka makes it 3-3

Federer got to 30-30 on Stan’s serve but then couldn’t hit a backhand pass down the line and ends up netting it instead. Wawrinka holds with an ace down the tee.

Federer saves break points for 3-2

After Wawrinka saved three break points on his serve, it’s Federer’s turn to do the saving. The 17-time slam champion saves both the break points that he faced. It’s on serve in the first set at 3-2.

Head-to-head: Federer leads Wawrinka 18-3.

Federer starts off with a quick hold, with a serve-and-volley point. 

Wawrinka responds in kind. 1-1.

Federer to start proceedings by serving first! Ready? Play!

The players are out on court and are warming up! The match will begin shortly. 

Stay tuned for live updates.

Just over 15 minutes to go for our last match of the day — Roger Federer vs Stan Wawrinka!

Australian Open 2017 men’s semis preview: Federer, Nadal’s quest for history in face of swift competitionhttp://www.firstpost.com

Leander Paes/Martina Hingis knocked out

The Indo-Swiss pair lose to the Aussie duo of Sam Groth/Sam Stosur 3-6, 2-6 in the mixed doubles quarter-finals.

Martina Hingis and Leander Paes may be losing, but they sure are having fun in their match!

Well, this is certainly novel…

Time for some mixed doubles now!

Leander Paes and Martina Hingis are up against the Aussie pair of Sam Groth and Sam Stosur. The Indo-Swiss duo lose the first set 3-6.

Serena vs Venus Williams head-to-head

Serena Williams is through to Aus Open final

Serena Williams defeats Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-2, 6-1 in 50 minutes to progress to her 29th Grand Slam final.

Serena breaks to seal the match

Serena Williams breaks for a third time in the 2nd set to seal her iwn in the semi-final over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Serena leads 4-1

Ruthless Serena. Dominant Serena. Hitting winners at will Serena. 

The American is absolutely crushing it on Rod Laver Arena and breaks again. She is just two games away from the final.

Down memory lane we go…

Serena leads 2-1

Serena Williams is in incredible form! She’s hitting winners right, left and centre. She break Lucic-Baroni’s serve once again with a thunderous return winner. Serena has converted all three of the break points she’s created in the match so far. Flawless.

Serena is crushing her serve and Lucic-Baroni appears to be trying to match it on the return. That’s not going well for her and she only picks up one point on the American’s serve. She makes it 1-1.

Vandeweghe holds to open 2nd set

A much better start to the second set from Lucic-Baroni as she holds and fires a forehand winner to outplay Serena.

Serena wins 1st set

World No 2 Serena Williams raced away with the first set 6-2 in 25 minutes over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Serena is in a rush!

Serena is trying to get the job done quickly in her semi-final. She holds to love and she’s cruised through the opening set in just 25 minutes.

Lucic-Baroni gets another hold for 5-2

With two big serves, one ace and another almost unreturnable one, the Croatian has won another game in the opening set. But Serena will now come out to serve for the set at 5-2.

It’s only 19 minutes into the match and Serena already has surged to a 5-1 lead. She’s hit only 5 unforced errors in six games but Lucic-Baroni has committed 12.

Serena races to a 4-1 lead

Serena has started the match in dominant fashion and has run away with the opening set to lead 4-1 with two breaks.

Just a reminder…

Lucic-Baroni starts off the match by serving first. Ready? Play!

Now it’s time for the second semi-final!

Serena Williams and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni are out on court warming up.

Venus is rooting for sister Serena in the next semi-final!

That winning feeling!

When you are in your first Grand Slam final since 2009, twirl like the world’s watching!

Venus Williams is through to Aus Open final

After a gap of 14 years, 36-year-old Venus Williams is back in the Australian Open final with a 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3 win over Coco Vandeweghe.

VENUS WINS!

Vandeweghe saves one match point on her serve with an ace.

On the second match point, Venus is unable to get her backhand over the net after a long rally and it’s deuce.

Venus takes the advantage with a forehand winner and brings up another match point. Vandeweghe saves it again with a deep return that Venus couldn’t control. 

On the second deuce, Vandeweghe slides another ace out wide. Venus challenges it and it turns out to be OUT. Second serve and Vandeweghe sends her return long!

Venus makes it 5-3

A super-pumped up game from Venus Williams, that started with a double fault and ends with an ace. Venus yells “FINISH HER”!

Vandeweghe stays close in the 3rd set at 3-4

The 25-year-old American slams an ace out wide to ensure she keeps this match alive. It is just one break of serve separating the two players.

“You know better than this” Vandewghe visibly pissed at herself and gives herself a pep talk. She manages to grind out a hold from 0-30 down. 

Venus follows that with an easy hold of her own and she is now two games away from the final!

Two super-quick holds from both Venus and Vandeweghe and we move to 3-1 in the decider. 

After dropping the opening ste, Venus adapted quickly to counter Vandeweghe’s game. She has handled Vandeweghe’s pace with considerable aplomb, and strategically put second serves.

There goes Vandeweghe’s racquet

Venus leads 2-0

The 36-year-old American consolidates her break after saving two break points. Vandeweghe clobbers her racquet after missing a return on the first one, and then Venus steps forward to win the point at the net. A very frustrated Vandeweghe looking out of ideas.

Venus breaks to start the 3rd

The 3rd set starts off with a couple of really long rallies, with Venus’ hitting spectacular angles. Vandeweghe saves one break point but a double fault sets up a second break point AND VENUS TAKES IT!

Here’s a look at what the numbers say after the two sets

Venus wins 2nd set 6-2

Venus Williams levels the match at 6-7(3), 6-2 and we are going to a third in the first women’s semi-final.

Venus takes second set with an ace

Vandeweghe had one break point at 30-40 but hse overcooked her return and sent it long. Deuce. 

Venus gets the advantage with another long rally that ends with a backhand long from Vandeweghe. 

On set point, Venus hammers down an ace to win the second set!

Venus serving for the 2nd set at 5-2

Vandeweghe quickly moves to 2-5 with a love-hold. Venus will now come out and serve to force this into a decider.

Venus surges ahead 5-1

After multiple deuces, Venus comes up with her third ace to bring up game point. A long rally ensues on the next point and a patient Venus forces Vandeweghe to rush her backhand, which she hits into the net.

Venus in the zone right now. This match looks like it’s headed to a decider. The body serve has worked really effectively for her against Vandeweghe.

Venus Williams leads 4-1 in 2nd set

Venus has steadied the ship in the second set after breaking early and serving better herself. 

Vandeweghe threw in a double fault at break point to fall behind a double break in the second set.

The stats from the first set

This is the first set that Venus Williams has dropped in the Australian Open. Can the 36-year-old bounce back?

Coco Vandeweghe wins the first set 7-6(3) over Venus Williams with her attacking play! She is one set away from her maiden Grand Slam final.

Vandeweghe wins tie-break 7-3

Venus saved one set point with a smart slice, which Vandeweghe couldn’t return past the net. 

On the next point, she wins the tie-break with yet another forehand winner!

FOUR SET POINTS FOR VANDEWEGHE

Vandeweghe playing really aggressive tennis, and hitting winners off both wings. Now leads 5-2. 

She hits a backhand winner down the line off Venus’ serve. She stepped in, attacked the serve early and now has four set points.

Vandeweghe 4-2 in tie-break

The younger American wins the next two points to get her mini-break back and then go ahead a break herself.

On the next point, she serves and volleys and surprises Venus. She leads 4-2.

Tie-break time!

After the early exchange of breaks, neither player was able to inflict further damage and we are into the tie-break.

Venus gets the first mini-break of the tie-breaker with a sensational return winner.

Vandeweghe starts her all-important game with an ace down the tee. She holds quite comfortably to take this set into the tie-break!

Venus holds for 6-5

Venus serves an ace at 40-30 after a tight service game to hold and edge ahead. Vandeweghe will once again serve to stay alive in the opening set.

After a couple of holds from both players, Venus is now serving at 4-4 in th opening set. Crucial games coming up!

Venus breaks back

Sensational start to the match with plenty of long rallies, deep hitting and amazing ball-striking. Venus breaks right back to make it 1-1.

Venus Williams broken in the first game

Not the best start for the American, who has a poor service game and gets broken in the very first game.

Ready? Play!

Australian Open 2017, women’s semis preview: Serena Williams’ quest, gripping storylines define last 4http://www.firstpost.com

Coco Vandeweghe and Venus Williams are out on court and warming up! Play to begin shortly. 

Stay tuned for live updates throughout the match.

Here’s a look at the Order of Play for Day 11: 

Rod Laver Arena

5:30 AM IST

Bob Bryan (USA)/Mike Bryan (USA x3) v Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)/Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 

8:30 AM IST

Coco Vandeweghe (USA) v Venus Williams (USA x13)

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) v Serena Williams (USA x2) 

2:00 PM IST

Roger Federer (SUI x17) v Stan Wawrinka (SUI x4)

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Australian Open!

It’s semi-finals day and we have three cracking matches coming up in the singles.