Federer downs Davydenko for 23rd straight Slam semi

MELBOURNE: Record-breaker Roger Federer made it to his 23rd consecutive Grand Slam semifinal after ending Russian Nikolay Davydenko's hot streak at the Australian Open yesterday.

The Swiss world No 1 misfired for the first set and a half, then went on a winning run of 13 games before holding off a late comeback to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 in two hours, 36 minutes.

The 15-time Grand Slam champion, bidding for his fourth Australian title, will now play French 10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in tomorrow's semifinal. Tsonga defeated No 3 seed Novak Djokovic 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 last night.