Federer, Nadal now gone at Aussie Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

First Rafael Nadal, now Roger Federer. Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, was knocked out of the Australian Open 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4 yesterday by 2008 champion Novak Djokovic.

Before the tournament Nadal was going for his fourth straight Grand Slam win and Federer was aiming for his fifth Australian title.

Instead, Nadal was eliminated by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and Federer is heading home. Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Ferrer in the final - they play today.

"I'm looking forward to watching that match tomorrow from my bed with some popcorn," Djokovic said. "David played a fantastic match against Rafa even though Rafa was struggling obviously with injuries.

"They are in top shape. Andy has been in top shape on this court. It's a Grand Slam final, anything can happen. I believe in myself."

It will be the first time since 2003 that Federer will not hold any of the four major titles and the first time that neither Nadal nor Federer will not feature in a Grand Slam final since the Australian Open in 2008, when Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The finals scenario could open the door for Murray to become the first British Grand Slam singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936 when the final is played Sunday night at Rod Laver Arena.

"It's really one of the best matches I've played in a while," Djokovic said.

It is the second straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has knocked Federer out in the semis. At last year's US Open, the Serbian player saved match points before beating Federer in five sets to advance to the final against Nadal.

The last time Federer was beaten in straight sets in a Grand Slam tournament was here in 2008 - against Djokovic.

Final win

Federer won 11 of 14 points to come back from a service break down to take the lead in the second set after the two traded tit-for-tat booming forehands and chip backhands during the opening set. But Djokovic broke back later in the second set and took his power strokes into the third set to win in an even three hours.

It was the 20th meeting of the pair. Federer still holds a 13-7 edge.

Earlier yesterday, China's Li Na and Kim Clijsters advanced to tomorrow's women's final.

Li's bubbly personality off-court and her steady play on it have won her legions of new fans, particularly in her native China. It might even earn her a Grand Slam singles title. She's the first Chinese woman to advance to a singles final at a major.

Li fended off a match point in the second set and rebounded for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, while Clijsters, advancing to her eighth major final, beat No. 2-ranked Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-3.

"This is good experience for my whole life, because many players, they play a long time, but they never play the final for a Grand Slam," Li said.

Clijsters says she'll use her previous appearances in finals - she's won three US Opens, including two since she returned from a retirement after getting married and having a child - to her advantage.

"I guess I've been on tour for a while and I've played big matches and not always won them," Clijsters said. "Although I've lost them sometimes, they really do teach you a lot of things."

For the past 10 days, Li has regaled the crowds and television audiences with her wit, joking about credit card spending, her mother's reluctance to watch any of her matches, and the snoring of her husband and coach, Jiang Shan.

A mark of her respect for other players was evident yesterday when she was asked about Clijsters.

"She's a nice person," Li replied, preferring to not initially comment on the Belgian's court prowess. "A good player, tough player, another challenge."