Djokovic powers past Federer into Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic will sweep into a record eighth Australian Open final and move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown. (AFP)

• Novak Djokovic will sweep into a record eighth Australian Open final and move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic shattered the hopes of ailing rival Roger Federer Thursday to sweep into a record eighth Australian Open final and move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown.
The pair boast one of world sport’s greatest rivalries, and after a tentative start the Serb quickly reinforced his recent dominance, showing no mercy to the Swiss maestro in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3 win.
He will play either fifth seed Dominic Thiem or seventh-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.