MELBOURNE, Jan 25: Dealing with pressure was the key to beating 2007 champion Roger Federer in straight sets to reach the Australian Open final on Friday, Novak Djokovic said.

The third seed came up with big serves when he needed to and dealt calmly with everything the world number one threw at him on the way to his emphatic victory.“I was able to deal with the pressure in the best possible way,” the 20-year-old Serb told reporters. “And if you do that against the best player in the world, you should get the positive outcome.

“I’m very happy that in crucial moments my serve was serving me and it was probably my best element in the game tonight in the important moments.”

Djokovic said he always felt in control after Federer failed to serve out for the first set at 5-3.

“I was more patient and I didn’t allow him to be aggressive and to play his style,” he said. “I was the one who was in control of the match, so I think I deserved to win.”

Djokovic is surprised at his recent success in advancing to four Grand Slam semi-finals in a row and two finals, saying: “It’s a little bit surprising.

“But, again, I’ve been working very hard in the past year and a half, so it’s paying off right now.”

Djokovic, who has not dropped a set on the way to his second Grand Slam final, will meet unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday’s showpiece, a player he has never faced.

“It is a significant moment for tennis,” he stated. “Every sport needs new faces. Looking at the rankings I would be the favourite but it’s final so anything can happen.”—Reuters