Djokovic defeats Federer

World number one Roger Federer has been knocked out in the semi-finals of the Australian Open by Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Number three seed Djokovic sealed victory over the defending champion in straights sets 7-5 6-3 7-6(7-5).

The victory lines up an Australian Open final in Melbourne that few would have predicted.

Djokovic will face unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who beat second seed Rafael Nadal, also in straight sets, on Thursday.

This defeat was Federer's first in straight sets at a grand slam since he lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the 2004 French Open.

The holder of 12 grand slam crowns, his chase of Pete Sampras's record 14 is now on ice until the French Open begins in May.

A delighted Djokovic said: "It's unbelievable to beat the number one player in the world, probably the best this court has seen. I am very proud.

"He has been so successful in the last couple of years in Australia and he had the crowd behind him. I am amazed at the way I coped with the pressure and I played my best tennis."

Federer was philosophical in defeat. He said: "I've won, many, many times when I didn't expect myself to win.

"I've created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament. But semis is still, you know, pretty good.

"It's not easy coming out every week trying to win. You'll always run into fellow top-ten players or other guys who are on a streak or on a hot run or surprise you.

"That's the difficulty about tennis. I've had it for a long, long time. I've had to deal with all sort of different streaks. I didn't feel particular pressure at all tonight, no."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.