Federer reaches his 28th Grand Slam final at Australian Open
Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Switzerland's Roger Federer overcame compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in five sets on Thursday to reach his 28th Grand Slam final and his sixth Australian Open final. Chasing his fifth Australian Open title, Federer on Sunday will play the winner of the semi-final between one-time Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.


2.38pm GMT
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12.10pm GMT
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12.01pm GMT
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2017. Serena and Venus Williams in the women?s final, Roger Federer in the men?s with Rafael Nadal joining him if he beats Grigor Dimitov tomorrow. The veterans are dominating this Australian Open, although Dimitrov is playing well enough to pour cold water on all this romantic nostalgia. I?ll have coverage of Nadal v Dimitrov tomorrow, but that?s all from me for now. Thanks for reading and emailing. Bye.Updated
at 12.27pm GMT


11.52am GMT
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Federer is asked about the possibility of meeting Rafael Nadal in the final for the first time in six years. ?It?s real now. I can actually talking about playing a finals for the first time. I?ve been dodging that bullet for the last couple of days. But this is the last one. I?ll leave it all out here in Australia and if I can?t walk for another five months, that?s ok. Rafa is the biggest challenge. This court allows me to be offensive. I?m probably his number one fan. We?ve had some epic battles over the years. It would be unreal to play here. I don?t think both of us though we were going to be here potentially playing in the final because I went to open his academy in Mallorca with him a few months back and I told him ?I wish we could do a charity match or something?, but I was on one leg and he had the wrist injury and we were playing some mini tennis with some juniors and we were like ?it?s the best we can do right now?. A few months later, we are maybe going to be in the finals. It?s a very special tournament for us already.?

11.48am GMT
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Federer is asked about the possibility of playing Grigor Dimitrov in the final. ?He?s got a very complete game. He can mix it up very well. It?s either going to be him ... or Rafa. Talking about Grigor, I like his game. A lot of players come out and watch him. I didn?t think he was going to be this consistent in this tournament.?

11.47am GMT
11:47

More from Federer. ?I did feel he gave a bit of a cheap break. I didn?t really deserve it at that moment. But I served it out. Everything happened so quickly at the end. I had to check the scoreboard. I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought I would come this far in Australia. I?ve got a couple of days off. I?m so happy.?

11.45am GMT
11:45

Roger Federer speaks. ?Thank God. I thought he relaxed and I couldnt? serve as well I did. He let it go and it worked for him. It was hard to stop the bleeding and I was playing tight. Stan was playing nothing to lose. It was very tricky. Good tennis in the fifth. I?ve had a leg thing going on for the week and I felt it from the second game. I don?t know. I don?t really take injury timeouts, but Stan already took his so I thought people won?t be mad and Stan won?t be mad. That physio, he has magic hands. If you go off the court, that means the treatment is ... further ... up ... the ... leg.?

11.43am GMT
11:43

Stan Wawrinka leaves to a huge ovation from an appreciative crowd. What an effort it was from the world No4, who was in tears at the end of the second set. What heart he showed to fight back when he returned from a medical timeout with tape on his right knee. But there was no denying Federer in the end.

11.42am GMT
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Federer makes a perfect start, a low forehand into the left corner forcing Wawrinka to hoist a backhand wide. Then he runs around a forehand, drilling it down the line to force an anguished Wawrinka to net his forehand for 30-0. Another big forehand is enough to make Wawrinka hit wide again and Federer has three match points. He misses a first serve. He sends the second to Wawrinka?s backhand and the world No4 sends his return long! That?s it! After missing most of last year with a knee injury Roger Federer has reached the Australian Open final at the age of 35! He embraces his vanquished opponent and close friend at the net before accepting the adulation from the crowd.Updated
at 12.11pm GMT


11.38am GMT
11:38

Fifth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 5-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): After three hours, Wawrinka is serving to stay in the match. He does so, holding to 15 with a vicious backhand. Federer will serve for the match and a place in the Australian Open final.

11.35am GMT
11:35

Fifth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 5-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Federer rediscovers his rhythm on serve and speeds into a 40-0 lead without breaking stride. He holds to 15 with a joyous smash and he?s a game away from his 28th grand slam final.

11.33am GMT
11:33

Fifth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 4-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka takes the first point, but Federer takes the next two thanks to excellent returns. Then Wawrinka squirts a backhand horribly wide to hand Federer two break points, his first of this set, and the world No4 double-faults! Rather uncharitably, the crowd cheers as Federer breaks.Updated
at 11.40am GMT


11.29am GMT
11:29

Fifth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Down 0-15, Federer responds well to win the next two points. Some effective serve and volley makes it 40-15. He hasn?t done that for a while. But at 40-30, Wawrinka hammers a forehand into the right corner to force deuce. Federer has to dig deep, but he?s putting nothing into his shots now and eventually nets a backhand to gift Wawrinka a break point. Now Wawrinka?s tight. He nets a backhand. It?s advantage Federer after he dominates the net and he does enough with a volley to force a sliding Wawrinka, who almost does the splits, to net a forehand. A vital hold.

11.23am GMT
11:23

Fifth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka shows the first sign of weakness on serve for a while, netting a backhand to make it 0-15. Then, when Federer cracks a backhand from left to right, he nets a volley for 0-30. Wawrinka?s response is a second serve ace out wide. Oh, I say! Then Federer skews a forehand into the crowd to make it 30-all, before knocking a backhand return wide off a second serve. Wawrinka holds with a massive forehand down the line. Four points in a row and he holds and it was all thanks to that second serve ace at 0-30.

11.18am GMT
11:18

Fifth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): An ace down the middle from Federer is a fine way to start the game. He can?t put away two smashes during the next rally and loses it when he nets a volley, before serving well for 30-15. The camera picks out Mirka, his wife, in mid-prayer. Does she know something we don?t? Wawrinka makes it 30-all with a superb return and then defends well, earning a break point when Federer nets a tentative backhand. Wawrinka has a look at a second serve and his return is outstanding. Federer hangs in there and it?s his turn to attack. Wawrinka?s defence is also good. Federer tries a drop shot. It?s not great, but Wawrinka pokes his backhand wide at the net and Federer goes on to hold. That could be huge. Federer breathes an almighty sigh of relief.

11.13am GMT
11:13

Fifth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Federer leaves a return short, allowing Wawrinka to barrel a forehand away for 15-0. This is a fine service game from Wawrinka, who swerves an ace out wide to lead 40-0. He holds to love.Updated
at 11.30am GMT


11.11am GMT
11:11

Fifth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Federer finally returns, without any taping on his knees, and begins the final set with an ace. Wawrinka, who was busily keeping himself warm during the timeout, challenges unsuccessfully. Federer holds to 15. How he needed a routine service game. ?You may have pulled off the greatest jinx of all time, Jacob,? says Krishnan Patel. ?12-5 and 4 breaks since the time you said you couldn?t see Wawrinka coming back.?

11.06am GMT
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While we wait for Roger Federer to return from his medical timeout, here?s a Joy of Six on the great man.

11.06am GMT
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?If StanTheMan manages to come back to win and go on to won the tournament does that mean that he?s a ?greater? player than our beloved Sir Andy?? says Jordan Spooner. ?Yes ? Andy is more consistent but Stan would have 4 majors compared to Andy?s 3. Personally I would be happy to have an extra major than be called consistent. Oh yes ? Andy, Stan and me are on first name terms!?I can see where you?re coming from, though Murray also has two Olympic titles and is the world No1. You can spin it either way. One thing: the form he?s been in, I doubt Murray?s going to stay on three majors.

11.03am GMT
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Roger Federer has left court. He had the trainer on at the end of the fourth set. Well, if it worked for Wawrinka...

11.02am GMT
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Serving for the set, Wawrinka slices an ace down the middle to lead 30-0. A big serve brings up three set points and Federer nets a backhand return! We?re heading into a fifth set and even Federer might be powerless to resist this Wawrinka comeback! Updated
at 11.19am GMT


10.59am GMT
10:59

Fourth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka?s on the defensive during the first point, but it?s Federer who loses it, sending a frustrated forehand long. That gives Wawrinka the encouragement to wallop a forehand into the right corner for a 0-30 lead. Federer tries to serve-volley, but Wawrinka opens up his racquet and guides a crosscourt forehand past him to earn three break points! Federer saves the first two with some stubborn serving. He approaches the net on the third. Federer volleys into the right corner, but Wawrinka moves smoothly, reaches down and flicks a forehand from right to left to break! He?ll serve for the fourth set! He was down, out and injured after the second set and now look!

10.55am GMT
10:55

Fourth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka finds the line with a forehand winner for 15-0. Federer wastes a challenge for no apparent reason. On we go. Wawrinka clips a forehand into the corner to lead 30-0. But Federer enjoys a little slice of luck when a forehand clips the top of the net and forces Wawrinka forward. Federer picks him off with a backhand down the line for 30-15, then smashes for 30-all. Suddenly it?s an awkward game for Wawrinka, who?s relieved to see a Federer backhand flash wide. Wawrinka nets a forehand, though, and the game goes to deuce, but he holds after a couple of staunch points.

10.49am GMT
10:49

Fourth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Two successive aces from Federer, a hold to 15. Another comfortable hold. For Federer, the finishing line is in sight, but they remain on even terms in this set.

10.47am GMT
10:47

Fourth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 3-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka holds to 15, a stress-free game. There?s no sign of his injured knee holding him back. It feels like both players are biding their at the moment. Updated
at 11.17am GMT


10.42am GMT
10:42

Fourth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Federer begins the game with a double-fault. He ends it with a preposterous forehand down the line to hold to 15.

10.40am GMT
10:40

Fourth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka settles himself down with a hold to 15. The intensity momentarily dips.

10.36am GMT
10:36

Fourth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): At 40-0, Wawrinka lobs Federer at the net. Federer runs back to the baseline and tries a tweener. Wawrinka wins the point with a smash. But Federer holds to 15, Wawrinka netting a forehand. The pendulum has swung again.

10.34am GMT
10:34

Fourth set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka bangs an ace down for 15-0. Federer responds with a peach of a backhand pass from left to right for 15-all, which should make him feel a bit better about the way this has gone in the past 30 minutes. The game goes to 30-all and a baseline rally ensues. It ends with Wawrinka sending a backhand long and Federer has a break point. A brutally strong forehand from Wawrinka forces an error from Federer, whose forehand goes long for deuce. A double-fault from Wawrinka gifts Federer a second chance, though. Here?s another long rally. Federer?s in control, though, and there?s a hint of desperation about Wawrinka?s final shot, a backhand that drifts long. Federer breaks to stop the rot.

10.29am GMT
10:29

Fourth set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Federer looks completely confused, a double-fault making it 15-30. The wind was taken out of his sails when Wawrinka went for that medical timeout and he hasn?t been able to handle the situation. Wawrinka?s loose. With nothing to lose, he?s just come back out and spanked the fuzz off the ball. He earns a break point when Federer sends a forehand wide. Federer serves wide and moves forward; Wawrinka just wallops a backhand pass from left to right to seal a third successive break. Federer has lost from two sets up on four occasions. He?s in serious peril of it happening for a fifth time now.

10.24am GMT
10:24

That medical timeout seems to have affected Federer more than Wawrinka, who takes a 30-0 lead with an ace out wide. Another storming backhand from Wawrinka brings up three set points and Federer nets a backhand. A horrible, unfocused third set from Federer and the 2014 champion is right back in this! Against all the odds, we?re heading into a fourth set!Updated
at 11.04am GMT


10.21am GMT
10:21

Third set: Federer* 7-5, 6-3, 1-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Federer looks frazzled now, netting a volley to make it 0-15, then dragging a simple forehand wide to make it 30-all. Wawrinka earns a break point, bullying Federer with a forehand down the line. Monstrous hitting from Wawrinka unsettles Federer, who sends a forehand miles long. Wawrinka breaks again and will serve for the third set!

10.17am GMT
10:17

Third set: Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate that unlikely break, Wawrinka marches into a 40-0 lead. He holds to 15 when Federer knocks a backhand wide. This semi-final has taken a surprise turn and we can?t be sure where it?s heading now.Updated
at 10.58am GMT
