The biggest match of the day (and the only singles match) featured world #1 Roger Federer taking on #3 Novak Djokovic. There was plenty on the line for both players, as Federer was looking to go to his 11th consecutive Grand Slam final, and Djokovic is looking to win his first career Grand Slam.

Federer jumped out to an early lead, breaking Djokovic’s serve for a 4-3 lead. Federer then held his serve and was up 5-3. It wasn’t to be though, as Djokovic then rattled off four consecutive games to win the first set 7-5. He forced Federer into mistakes, and had 15 winners in the set.

Djokovic picked up right where he left off in the first set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Federer then broke and held to make it 5-3, but Djokovic then served out the second set to take a 2-0 set lead.

In the third set, Federer had three break chances in the on Djokovic’s serve in the second game. He failed to convert, and then faced two break opportunities at 2-1. Djokovic then failed to convert and the set progressed on to a tiebreaker. Federer won the first two points of the breaker, and made it 3-1 before hitting consecutive backhand errors. Djokovic then went up 6-5, and after a long rally Federer hit the ball into the net and Djokovic was victorious.

Djokovic had 12 more winners than Federer, and they both had the same amount of unforced errors. Djokovic served just a little better (68% to 62%), had three more aces, and converted two more breaks than did Federer.

After watching the match I came away thouroughly impressed with Djokovic. He controlled the match from the baseline, and kept Federer guessing with his serve. Djokovic also stepped inside the baseling when returning the second serve of Federer and attacked. He forced Federer to pass him. The slowness of the court combined with the fluffing of the balls (after a few games) hurt Federer, because he hits the forehand with more spin whereas Djokovic drives it flat. It appeared to me that Federer did not move too well when hitting the wide forehand and he was tentative with his volleys. Overall, outplayed Federer and deserved to win the match.

To me, this is a test for Federer. These young players are now realizing that they can beat Federer, and for the first time in a long time he seems vulnerable. I don't think that this is that bad for Federer though. He has always been able to step his game up when the pressure is on. Now, he will have to do it again. I certainly think he is still the best player in the game today, and one of, if not, the best to ever play. We will just have to wait and see what happens the rest of the season.

The win marks the first time Federer has lost in straight sets at a Grand Slam since the third round of the 2004 French Open. It also snapped his 19-match Australian Open win streak, and a 40-match Grand Slam hard court winning streak. His last Grand Slam loss on a hard-court came at the 2002 US Open to Max Mirnyi!

Djokovic became the ninth player in the Open Era to reach the finals of the Australian Open without dropping a set. He will now face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (for the first time), with both players looking to win their first career Grand Slam title. The last time that happened was at the 2005 French Open when Rafael Nadal took on Mariano Puerta.

Congratulations to both Tsonga and Djokovic for their great runs to the finals, it should be one heck of a match!

I also want to congratulate Alona Bondarenko and her sister Kateryna Bondarenko for wining the Women’s Doubles championship!