Novak Djokovic says he will be playing with nothing to lose against defending champion Roger Federer in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Djokovic has been in sublime form in 2011 and both he and Federer have yet to lose a match this year.
Djokovic's form is reminiscent of three years ago when he stormed through the draw to win his first Grand Slam title. Back then he beat Federer in straight sets in the semi-finals and after his phenomenal performance to oust the Swiss at the US Open last year in a five set classic, Djokovic is full of belief he can repeat the feat.
“In New York I think I played a great match against him,” Djokovic reflected. “He's very aggressive player, maybe the most aggressive there is on the tour. You have to be patient. Again, put some varieties and get him out of comfort zone. I've played so many times against him. He knows my game really well, as I know his. We played very close matches, last five matches except the one in London. Semifinals of a Grand Slam is very unpredictable what's going to happen.”
“You have to start well. You have to try to get him on the run as much as you can and try to let him know you're there to win. I have to be confident on the court, have the right attitude, and that's the only way I can beat Roger or Rafa. There is no other way. If you go out there and don't try to play your best tennis, you don't deserve to be there. You're not going to get any positive outcome.”
Federer may have beaten Djokovic in Shanghai, Basel and London since that epic encounter at Flushing Meadows but winning the Davis Cup last month has given the Serb a new lease of life and he's been playing all tournament with the aggressive mindset which took him to the top of the game.
