MELBOURNE — Champion Novak Djokovic was unable to draw much support from the crowd at Rod Laver Arena during his 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 semi-final win over sentimental favourite Roger Federer on Thursday, but the Serb found vital friends in the weather and the net-cord.
Two sets of the best tennis of his career against Federer sent the world number one hurtling towards a sixth final at Melbourne Park.
But it left most in the 15,000-seat stadium cold.
Instead, there was a standing ovation for Federer when he returned to the court for the third set and proceeded to knuckle down to turn the match into a contest.