Nadal again defeats Federer in Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal continued his string of success over Roger Federer with a four-set win Thursday in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Nadal improved to 18-9 lifetime against Federer with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory over three hours, 42 minutes. Nadal, the world's No. 2-ranked player, has won four of his last five meetings against Federer and each of the last five times they played in a Grand Slam event.

Nadal advanced to Sunday's tournament finals against either No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic or fourth-seeded Andy Murray, who play in a semifinal Friday. Djokovic beat Murray in the finals of last year's Australian Open.

Federer, No. 3 in the world, hadn't lost a set in the tournament and was up a set and a break one game into the second set. But Nadal broke back at love and, after getting even at 2-2, ran off four straight games to even the match.

They traded breaks in the middle of the third set but Nadal built a 6-1 lead in the tiebreaker. Federer won four straight points before Nadal finished off the set.

Nadal edged ahead with a ninth-game break in the fourth set. Federer had a break chance in the final game but Nadal pulled to 40-40 with a cross-court winner, got to match point with a service winner and advanced when Federer sent a shot long on the final point.

Federer, who generally seemed to be fighting from behind, had an uncharacteristic 63 unforced errors and five double faults. Nadal had 16 break-point chances -- winning six. Federer was 3-of-10 in his break opportunities

Nadal has one Australian Open title among his 10 Grand Slam championships. He beat Federer in a classic five-set match to take the 2009 title.