Federer claims place in final

The world number two was too good for American Andy Roddick, taking just two hours 17 minutes to defeat the seventh seed 6-2 7-5 7-5 and book a place in the final against either Rafael Nadal or Fernando Verdasco, who play on Friday.

Roddick has only ever beaten Federer in two of their previous 17 meetings - the most recent success coming in Miami last year - but he never looked like repeating that in a match played with the Rod Laver Arena roof open following a drop in temperature which brought to an end the extreme heat policy procedures.

A hustling Roddick tried everything from drop shots to bullet-like serves to find a way through the Federer armoury.

And although there were times when the three-time Australian Open champion could only stand and watch the aces go by or send a return into the net, he largely had an answer for everything the American could send his way.

Federer punched a few aces down himself - double the number of Roddick with 16 - and some of his passing shots were sublime.

In general, his choice of shot and execution far exceeded that of the American, who hit 38 winners compared to 51 by the Swiss star.