Djokovic routs Raonic to set up semi-final clash with Federer

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final showdown with ‘Big Three’ rival Roger Federer at the Australian Open on Tuesday with a thumping 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1) victory over Canada’s hapless Milos Raonic.

Djokovic will renew his Grand Slam rivalry with Federer, six months after fighting off match points to beat the Swiss in Wimbledon’s longest ever final.

“I hope I get to at least one match point in a few days,” Djokovic, who hold a 26-23 edge over Federer, quipped on court after downing Raonic.

“Obviously (I have) tremendous respect for Roger, everything he has achieved in the sport —definitely one of the alltime greats.

“Let the better player win.” Although 32nd seed Raonic has long been one of the tour’s most vexing servers, his main weapon was redundant against his opponent’s brilliant returning.

It was mainly down to luck that the robotic Canadian hung in for a period, with Djokovic unable to convert eight of nine break points in the first set, including three chances to win it.

The Serb, bidding for a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park, finally converted the fourth set point when Raonic clubbed wide in an 18-shot gunfight.

The booming Raonic forehand with its extravagant wind-up had cut a swath through the draw but Djokovic made it look decidedly foolish as he broke the Canadian in the fourth game and roared to a 4-1 lead.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion paused only briefly to mount a pair of dodgy line challenges before serving out the set. He barked at distractions in the crowd as Raonic saved four break points at 5-5.

That extended the Canadian’s Melbourne Park stay only briefly, with all resistance broken in the one-sided tiebreaker.