Djokovic will face Federer in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

The world number one won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 against Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals on the afternoon of January 26th, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with Roger Federer at the 2016 Australian Open.

The match started evenly, with both players easily winning their service games. However, in the sixth game, while leading 40-15, Nishikori became impatient and allowed Djokovic to turn the tables and secure a break. In the ninth game, the Japanese player had a chance to break his opponent's serve when leading by two points, but he failed to maintain the advantage and allowed Djokovic to win the set point.

In the second set, Djokovic secured a break in the very first game. In the second game, a tense back-and-forth battle ensued, but a shot out from the baseline by Nishikori once again cost him a break opportunity.

Djokovic continues his impressive run, reaching the Grand Slam semifinals for the 29th time. Photo: AFP.

In this match, Nishikori entered with a determined mindset. However, the Japanese star showed a lack of caution in many attempts to finish off his opponent, which led to numerous unforced errors.

In game five, Nishikori made two unforced errors and his half-volley was anticipated by his opponent. Djokovic broke his opponent's serve for the second time in this set. In game eight, the top seed saved three break points and then won the set point with an ace.

In the third set, Nishikori secured his first break of the match in the second game. However, the Japanese player couldn't maintain his advantage. He lost three consecutive service games while only managing one more break in the fourth game. In the tenth game, Djokovic missed two match points but successfully capitalized on the third opportunity with a powerful cross-court backhand to defeat Nishikori for the seventh time in nine encounters.

Djokovic has the opportunity to surpass Federer in head-to-head record for the first time. Photo: AFP.

The match ended after two hours and seven minutes. Djokovic reached his 29th Grand Slam semi-final and his seventh at the Australian Open.

The Serbian player will face his longtime rival Roger Federer in the semi-finals. That will be the match that decides which of the two players will reach the $100 million mark in career prize money.

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“I’ve played Roger 44 times and Rafael Nadal 45 times. So it feels like half my career has been spent playing against them. It’s always a big challenge. Roger, you don’t need to say more about what he’s achieved. It will be a very challenging match,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic and Federer have each won 22 times in their previous encounters. The Serbian player has the opportunity to surpass his rival in head-to-head record for the first time, just as he did when he beat Nadal in the 2016 Qatar Open final.

According to VNE