Dominant Federer crushes Kiefer

Federer has won seven matches in a row against Kiefer

World number one Roger Federer looked in ominous form as he cruised past Nicolas Kiefer 6-3 5-7 6-0 6-2 to reach the Australian Open final in Melbourne.

He now plays unseeded Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in the final, having won all three of their previous meetings.

The only break of a close first set went to Federer in the fourth game.

The second set, won by Kiefer, went with serve until the last game, which roused Federer to a 6-0 whitewash in the next, and Kiefer never recovered.

The German was playing Federer for the third Grand Slam in succession, having been the loser in their last six meetings, and the opening exchanges were fairly cagey, until Federer secured the first break of serve in the fourth game.

Following a winner hit round the side of the net post, Kiefer produced two double faults to give Federer break point, only to save them with two consecutive aces.

I had sort of a strange feeling going into this match, a big excitement because I knew, I'm so close for another Grand Slam Roger Federer

A classy lobbed half-volley saw Federer regain his advantage, and when Kiefer netted, the Swiss player gained the upper hand.

At 5-2, Kiefer saved three set points but Federer won the next game to take the set 6-3.

The second set was another cagey affair, going with serve the whole way, before a wide Federer return saw Kiefer break him to take it 7-5.

But Federer's reaction to this proved to be the turning point in the game.

The second set lasted over 50 minutes, but the third took just half that time as Federer vented his frustration in spectacular fashion.

Baghdatis has had an extra day's rest and is only 20 - he will be full of energy From DS Have your say on Five Live

A stunning forehand winner down the tramline earned Federer a double break of serve for 3-0, and two games later it became a triple break with a solitary ace being Kiefer's only point in the game.

The German had no answer to Federer's wide variety of fiery shots and it was no surprise when Federer took the set 6-0 for a 2-1 lead.

The final set began in a more low-key fashion, but when Kiefer netted to give Federer a break for 2-1, the damage was done.

Federer raced into a 5-1 lead, before Kiefer held his serve to at least be spared the indignity of losing the match on a break, but on his second match point of the game, Federer wrapped up the win.

I lost to the best player in the world, and he showed it in the big moments Nicolas Kiefer

The victory made Federer the first player since Andre Agassi in 1999 to reach three consecutive Grand Slam finals.

"I had sort of a strange feeling going into this match. Not a negative one, but just like a big excitement because I knew, I'm so close for another Grand Slam," said Federer.

"Nicolas and I have had many close and tough matches over the years, he's beaten me a few times and happily I've beaten him more times than he's beaten me."

Kiefer, who was playing in the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career, has come in for criticism during this tournament for his behaviour.

But after his defeat, he was generous in his praise for Federer.

"At the moment I'm pretty disappointed and tired and just mentally very, very tired," he said.

"But I think over next the few days I'm going to realise and I can look back and say, 'great four weeks in Australia'.

"I lost to the best player in the world, and he showed it in the big moments."