MELBOURNE, Australia — When Stan Wawrinka’s final 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 because of a knee injury, Federer completed an improbable run to the Australian Open final with a 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory Thursday night over fourth-seeded Wawrinka, his friend and Swiss compatriot who won last year’s United States Open.