MELBOURNE, Australia — When Stan Wawrinka’s backhand return landed just long, Roger Federer raised his arms in a hesitant way that appeared to be a half-triumphant, half-disbelieving shrug.
Having not played a competitive tournament since Wimbledon last July, the 17th-seeded Federer, 35, completed an improbable run to the Australian Open final with a 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 win on Thursday night over the fourth-seeded Wawrinka, his friend and Swiss countryman.