THREE YEARS LATER... WILL IT BE DJOKOVIC ONCE MORE?

3rd seed Serbian Novak Djokovic has won his semi-final match against the defending champion and 2nd-seeded Swiss Roger Federer 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4 to book his place in the finals of the Australian Open 2011 Tennis Grand Slam Event.

The last time (and the only time) that Djokovic had beaten Federer in straight sets was the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2008... the Grand Slam that Djokovic went on to win! He will be desperately hoping to repeat that performance this time and win his 2nd Grand Slam title at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park.

This defeat for Federer, coupled with Nadal's injury-ridden loss to compatriot David Ferrer in the Quarter-finals yesterday, means that this Grand Slam final will not feature either Federer or Nadal. The last time a Men's Singles Grand Slam final was contested without these two champions was also the Australian Open 2008 (Djokovic will be delighted with the good omen)... and before that such a final was held during the Australian Open 2005. So after, 2005, 2008 and now 2011, I guess Djokovic, Murray, Del Potro, Soderling and others will be hoping that they don't have to wait till the Australian Open 2014 for another such final!

Djokovic's opponent for Sunday's final match will be decided tomorrow in the match between 5th seed Britain's Andy Murray and 7th seed Spaniard David Ferrer. Though Murray will be the clear favourite to win this semi-final and pose a stiff challenge to Djokovic in the finals, it must not be forgotten that David Ferrer is so far undefeated in 2011... having already won a title at the Auckland Open.

But if Djokovic can play tennis as good as he did today on Sunday as well, then it would take something out-of-the-world from whoever his opponent may be to stop him!