Djokovic ousts Raonic, to play against Wawrinka

MELBOURNE - World's best tennis player Novak Djokovic qualified for the Australian Open semifinal as he defeated Canada's Milos Raonic in the Wednesday match, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-2.

Djokovic managed to preserve the maximum advantage over Raonic and achieved the fifth triumph in their duels so far after two hours into the match.

In the fight for the final, Djokovic will cross rackets with last year's title winner Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland who beat Japan's Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

This will be a replay of the last year's quarterfinal in which Wawrinka managed to beat Djokovic after a major five-set struggle, and it will also be a replay of the third round match back in 2013 when Djokovic scored victory in the fifth set, 12-10.

Djokovic and Wawrinka crossed rackets in 19 matches so far, and the Serbian player has the upper hand over his opponent with the score at 16-3. The last match between Djokovic and Wawrinka was played at the final Masters tournament in London, when Djokovic scored a victory, 6-3, 6-0.

The world's first tennis player will improve his standing on the ATP list on Monday as Roger Federer of Switzerland was ousted in the third round, while Rafael Nadal of Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinal match.

AP Photo/Vincent Thian