Australian Open: Rejuvenated Federer defeats Murray

Four-time champion Roger Federer shattered Andy Murray's dreams of winning the Australian Open hopes with a superb success in the quarter-finals. The Swiss, now aged 32, won 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in three hours and 20 minutes and will face world number one Rafael Nadal in the semi final. Federer came close to wrapping things up in straight sets but he failed to serve out the match before missing two match points in the tie-break. Murray fought till the end and managed to save six break points in a huge 19-minute game in the fourth set. "I was proud of the way I fought," said Murray. "I changed my tactics a little bit, started playing a little bit more aggressive, and that was maybe my undoing a little bit at the end, because I really started going for my shots to get myself back into the match. Then when I got broken in that fourth set, I went for three balls. Maybe one or two of them weren't there to be hit." Federer was relieved to have gone past Murray to make an 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final appearance. "Andy played well and put the pressure on me so I'm happy to get the win," he said. "I probably miss more break points than other guys but I kept my composure and kept the poker face and tonight it worked. It's really a big pleasure for me being back in the semi-finals," added Federer. "I think I've played semis here all the way since 2004. For me it's an amazing result again to be in the semis. This one feels different because of the tougher times I've had in Slams, Wimbledon, at the US Open. It's nice to be back in the semis and defend my points from last year. Not that it matters at my age." The semi final against Rafael Nadal will be a much tougher test for Federer, considering that Andy Murray isn't at his best yet after recovering from back surgery. Here are the odds for Saturday's big match between Federer and Nadal: Rafael Nadal to win - 8/15 Roger Federer to win - 6/4