MELBOURNE: Top seed Novak Djokovic and champion Stan Wawrinka set up ‘The Djoker v The Man 3.0’ at Melbourne Park after impressive quarter-final victories on Wednesday, while an ill Serena Williams moved a step closer to her 19th Grand Slam title.

The American, however, will first have to overcome the pure hitting of Madison Keys after the 19-year-old ended the fairytale run of Serena’s older sister Venus, despite suffering from a thigh injury that hampered her movement.

With many suggesting prior to the tournament it could signify an epochal shift in both games, the teenager represents the up and comers in the semi-finals after Djokovic and Wawrinka crushed the last hopes of ‘Generation Next’ in the men’s draw.

Djokovic, seeking to become the second man to win a fifth Australian Open title, beat Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-2 in the late match on Rod Laver Arena, hours after Wawrinka had easily dispatched fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

“Definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years. I’m sure that both of us will give our best to perform our best tennis,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “We always ask for the best of each other.”

It will be the third successive year Djokovic and Wawrinka have met at the Australian Open, with the man winning those epic clashes ultimately going on to clinch the title.

As defending champion in 2013, Djokovic prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set in their fourth round clash. Last year, Wawrinka won the fifth set 9-7 in their quarter-final, indicating fans on Friday should be set for another epic encounter.

“You know when you play Novak, especially in semi-final in a Grand Slam, you have to play your best game,” Wawrinka said. “You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I’m playing great. I’m confident with my game.”

American teenager Keys proved to be the ultimate party pooper with her 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Venus while at the same time indicating the mantle of American women’s tennis should be in safe hands when it is moved on from the two sisters.

Serena and Venus had been hoping to provide fans with the first all-Williams sisters clash at a grand slam since the 2009 Wimbledon final in the semi-finals.

Keys, who was inspired at four years old to take up the game after seeing Venus play at Wimbledon, refused to succumb to sentimentality and regardless of the quality of the match, in which the two players combined for 83 unforced errors, the 19-year-old was pleased to be through to the semis.

“It’s amazing, you just have to embrace the moment,” said Keys, who is now coached by three-time major winner Lindsay Davenport. “And I get to enjoy another moment next round.”

Unlike her earlier sluggish matches, Serena was in the zone from the off against last year’s finalist Dominika Cibulkova, a steely look in her eyes.

The powerful 33-year-old blasted 15 aces to pummel the 11th seed 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour and make her 26th Grand Slam semi-final. She has gone on to win 18 major titles.

But Keys’ chances of making the final have improved with the world number one battling the effects of a cold after a virus hit several players at the tournament.

“I’ve been sick the past few days,” a hoarse-sounding Serena told reporters. “It’s just getting worse and worse. I heard it’s a virus going around with a lot of the players. I think I caught it.”

Published in Dawn January 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play