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AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama
Down Under

Here's how they'll line up in the Australian Open semi-finals

Confused by Rafa Nadal’s exit in Melbourne? Us too – but Stephen Kelly talks us through the state of play in Oz.

BEFORE DAVID FERRER intervened, the Australian Open was on the verge of the dream men’s semi-final line-up. Or the boring predictable one, depending on your view-point.

Some of the bigger names have fallen by the wayside in the women’s draw but some interesting semi-finals await with the four best (healthy) players in the game right now making it that far.

Here’s how they’ll line up:

Caroline Wozniacki v Na Li

It’s a good thing that Wozniacki’s press conferences have deflected attention from her on-court displays this week because she really is one of the most boring players to watch in modern tennis.

The Dane’s quarter-final victory against Francesca Schiavone summed up her passive approach. She was outclassed for the first set and a half but hung in there until opponent, feeling the effects of a marathon fourth round match, faded physically.

Na Li is the polar opposite as a player and her aggressive shot-making comfortably saw off Andrea Petkovic in the quarter-finals. Up until now, Wozniacki’s negative approach and complete inability to hit a winner has kept her from reaching a major final and it could be a similar story when she faces the in-form Li.

Kim Clijsters v Vera Zvonareva

Clijsters is a favourite here but despite not dropping a set all tournament,  she has yet to really impress. The Belgian’s movement has been hampered slightly and it was only her superior mental toughness on the big points that prevented her quarter-final against Agnieszka Radwanska from going three sets.

Zvonareva survived a second set wobble against Petra Kvitova to come through comfortably and is also yet to drop a set.

Based on performances so far the Russian would be a favourite to reach her third slam final in a row but Clijsters’ superior experience on the big stage will give her the edge. Or maybe I’m just afraid to jinx my pre-tournament bet on Zvonareva?

Roger Federer v Novak Djokovic

Federer’s expected quarter-final battle with compatriot Stansilas Wawrinka never really materialised with the world number two sailing through against an opponent frozen in the headlights.

Federer dropped sets to Giles Simon and Tommy Robredo earlier in the tournament he appears to be peaking at the right time. While Djokovic was superb in his quarter-final demolition of Tomas Berdych and has dropped just one set so far.

In 2010 the Serb faced Federer five times, all on hardcourts,  and lost on four occasions.

However he did pick up the one that mattered most, sealing a thrilling fifth set victory at the US Open. He also beat Federer in the semi-final in Melbourne three years ago before going on to take the trophy so his omens are good.

This one looks like a coin toss but with Federer freed from the prospect of having to face Nadal in the final he is likely to produce his very best tennis and prevail.

Andy Murray v David Ferrer

Murray’s tough pre-tournament draw never really materialised thanks mainly to the exploits of his quarter-final opponent Aleksandr Dolgopolov. The set Murray dropped to the Ukrainian was the first he lost this tournament and he looks to be in fine form.

It’s tough to know what to make of Ferrer’s current state given that Rafael Nadal was obviously hindered in their quarter-final encounter but it was clear that his aggressive returning and inside-out forehand were firing superbly.

That return is likely to be the key for the Spaniard again in this semi-final with Murray’s attackable second serve still by far the weakest part of his game.

Ferrer leads the head to head 3-2 but significantly all his wins have come on clay and Murray should have enough to advance to his second straight Australian open final.

Disclaimer: Readers looking to make financial investments based on these previews do so at their own risk. I take no responsibility.

Unless of course any resultant bets are successful in which case I will gladly accept a portion of all winnings.