Nadal tames Federer again

Spain’s Rafael Nadal extended his mastery over Roger Federer Thursday when he came from a set down to win a gripping Australian Open semi-final.

In a rematch of the 2009 final, Federer opened like a train but he was gradually reeled in by the tenacious Nadal to suffer his fifth straight grand slam defeat to his great rival, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. Nadal will now face either defending champion Novak Djokovic or fourth seed Andy Murray, who play on Friday, as he looks for his second Australian Open crown and his 11th grand slam title.

The 25-year-old strengthened his spell-binding hold on the otherwise masterful Swiss, who has won only two of their 10 grand slam meetings, both at Wimbledon, and none since 2007. Three years ago, Federer wept openly when Nadal won their epic, five-set Melbourne final. And on a chilly Melbourne night there was no revenge for the 16-time slam winner, who now extends a two-year major drought. AFP