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Roger Federer outclassed Andy Murray in straight sets to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The elegant 17-time Grand Slam winner defeated the Wimbledon champion 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in the Rod Laver Arena and will face familiar foe Rafael Nadal in the last four.
Murray broke back when Federer was serving for the match and saved two match points in the tie-break, before finally summoning the spell to end Federer's sorcery and take the third set.
However Federer regained control in the fourth and broke the Scot in the penultimate game of the set, before serving out the match.
Nadal earlier struggled past Grigor Dimitrov in four sets, despite nursing a blister on his left hand.
Federer's victory also sets up the prospect of an all-Swiss final against Novak Djokovic's conqueror, Stanislas Wawrinka. He will take on the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych.
Currently coached by seven-time Slam winner Stefan Edberg, Federer has not won a major since his defeat of Murray in the 2012 Wimbledon final.
His 21st meeting with Murray was the first time Federer was the lower ranked, and despite Murray's lack of matches this will rank as one of Federer's outstanding displays in the twilight of his career.
Federer vs Murray
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(01 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Fans of Roger Federer of Switzerland watch him in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(02 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts to a point in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(03 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts to a point in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(04 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts to a point in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(05 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain rests during a break in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(06 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain rests during a break in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(07 of33)
Britain's Andy Murray plays a shot during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(08 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain reacts to a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(09 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain reacts to a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(10 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates a point in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(11 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates a point in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(12 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts to a point in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(13 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts to a point in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(14 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(15 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(16 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain reacts to a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(17 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain reacts to a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(18 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Cricketer Shane Warne watches Roger Federer of Switzerland in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(19 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(20 of33)
Supporters wave The Saltire for Britain's Andy Murray during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(21 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(22 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(23 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(24 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(25 of33)
Switzerland's Roger Federer shouts during his men's singles match against Britain's Andy Murray on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(26 of33)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(27 of33)
Britain's Andy Murray shouts during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(28 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Stefan Edberg, coach of Roger Federer of Switzerland watches him in his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(29 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: The unpire leaves his chair to check the net height after Andy Murray of Great Britain hit it with his racquet in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(30 of33)
Britain's Andy Murray reacts during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(31 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Andy Murray of Great Britain changes his shirt in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Australian Open - Day 10(32 of33)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: A ballboy passes Andy Murray of Great Britain a towel as he appears to stumble in his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day 10 of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN(33 of33)
Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a shot against Andy Murray of Britain during their men's singles match on day ten of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2014. IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)