Federer, Tsonga make Australian semis

Federer defeated sixth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, who had won the last two times he played Federer, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 and will go against 10th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals. Tsonga upset No. 3 Novak Djokovic 7-6 (10-8), 6-7 (5-7), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 Wednesday.

Federer dropped his first two service games in falling behind but won 13 consecutive games in one stretch for control of the match. Davydenko came out the aggressor, leading 3-1 in the second set, but Federer saved two break-point situations and was off on a string of 13 games that allowed him to go up 2-1 in sets and 2-0 in the fourth set.

The third set was all Federer, who committed just two unforced errors and allowed Davydenko a mere nine points. The fourth set was more see-saw with Federer getting his third break of the set in the 11th game.

Tsonga took his second consecutive five-set victory to get to the semis.

Djokovic ran off five consecutive games and was ahead 2-1 in sets but in the fourth set began clutching his stomach as though he was ill. Tsonga was able to quickly take advantage and even the match before running away with the fifth set.

Tsonga has split his two previous matches against Federer, who has been in every Grand Slam men's semifinal since the 2003 championships at Wimbledon.

The other semi has fifth-seeded Andy Murray facing 14th-seeded Marin Cilic.
The Australian Open wraps up in Melbourne Sunday with the men's singles finals. The tournament champion will collect $1.8 million.

Copyright 2010 United Press International.