Andy Murray reacts after a point early in his semifinal match against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Djokovic won the first set 6-2, while Murray fought back to win the second set 6-3.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand early in his semifinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain. Djokovic won the first set, while Murray took the second.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard watches the semifinal match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Andy Murray of Great Britain at Melbourne Park.

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva of Russia pose with the winners trophy after defeating Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani of Italy in the women's doubles final.

Rod Laver Arena was packed to watch the semifinal match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain on Australia Day, Jan. 26. A fireworks display complemented a match that had sparks of its own.

Roger Federer inspects a line call during his semifinal match against Rafael Nadal. Federer won the first set but struggled to stop Nadal and lost a bid at another Slam title to add to his collection.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his semifinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland in a hard-fought four-set battle.

Two of the greatest players in the game, Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain, embrace at the net after their semifinal match at the Australian Open. Nadal won the match 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to reach the men's final and an attempt at an 11th Slam title.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic falls to Maria Sharapova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the women's semifinal match. Kvitova beat Sharapova for last year's Wimbledon title.

Kim Clijsters, the Aussie Open defending champ, tracks down a shot from Victoria Azarenka during their semifinal match. Azarenka topped Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to reach her first Grand Slam final.

Maria Sharapova is trying to capture her second Australian Open title after winning the Grand Slam tournament in 2008.

Maria Sharapova could regain the No. 1 ranking in the world if she can capture her second Aussie Open championship.

Despite rallying in the second set to even the match, Kim Clijsters surrendered her serve in the second and fourth games of the third and deciding set.

After losing momentum — and eventually the second set, Victoria Azarenka battled regained her footing and clinched the win after Kim Clijster's unforced error.

Victoria Azarenka, right, is congratulated by four-time majors winner Kim Clijsters after Azarenka rebounded to win the third and decisive set.

Andy Murray of Britain hits a forehand return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during their quarterfinal match Wednesday in Melbourne. Murray, the runner-up the past two years, easily defeated Nishikori and ran his record in 2012 to 10-0.
 

Kei Nishikori shows his athleticism on a between-the-legs shot Wednesday. Nishikori couldn't pull off enough spectacular shots, however, to trouble Andy Murray in the quarterfinals.
 

Maria Sharapova has to reach for this forehand during her quarterfinal match against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova on Wednesday, but she wasn't pushed in a straight-set victory.

Ekaterina Makarova, who upset American Serena Williams in the fourth round, doesn't find the same success Wednesday against Maria Sharapova.

David Wagner of the United States of America digs out a forehand during his quad wheelchair singles semifinal match against Noam Gershony of Israel on Wednesday. Wagner — the defending champion — lost to Gershony, who also is his doubles partner in Melbourne.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic shows good form on a backhand volley during her quarterfinal victory over Italy's Sara Errani on Wednesday.

Sara Errani looks through her strings like they're caging her in during Wednesday's quarterfinal match against Petra Kvitova. Errani couldn't find the key to escape Kvitova's trap.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic plays a backhand in his quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal of Spain. Berdych made Nadal jump throgh more hoops than anyone this tournament and even won the first set before Nadal proved too skilled.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his hard-fought quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Nadal lost the first set in a tiebreak, but won the next three sets and will face Roger Federer in the semifinals.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium celebrates her quarterfinal win over top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki walks from the court following her loss to Belgium's Kim Clijsters in their quarterfinal match. With the loss, Wozniacki will lose the world No. 1 ranking.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium reaches for a return to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their quarterfinal match. Clijsters will play No. 3 Victoria Azarenka in the semifinal round.

Agnieszka Radwanska's Aussie Open run ended in a quarterfinals loss to Victoria Azarenka. Radwanska is now 0-5 in Grand Slam quarterfinals.

"I'm really glad I could stay tough and finish the match," Victoria Azarenka said after her quarterfinals victory over Agnieszka Radwanska. "I'm just really happy to be in the semifinals to give it all out there." Temperatures on the court reached 94 degrees.

Victoria Azarenka became the first competitor to reach the semifinals when she defeated Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-7 (0), 6-0, 6-2.

He may lost the match, but Australia's Lleyton Hewitt made No. 1 Novak Djokovic work harder than he has all week for a four-set win.

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his fourth-round match against Lleyton Hewitt of Australia. Hewitt pushed Djokovic to a fourth set for his toughest match to date. Djokovic will take on No. 5-seed David Ferrer in the quarterfinals.

Jelena Ristic, girlfriend of Novak Djokovic, watches his interview after he won his fourth-round match against Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.

Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia talks to current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia after their fourth-round match. Djokovic won the match 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates winning a point during her fourth-round match against Germany's Sabine Lisicki. Lisicki took the first set and even though Sharapova had 47 unforced errors, her 23 winners landed on all the big points.

Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates his fourth-round upset over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Nishikori will take on Andy Murray in the quarterfinals.

Serena Williams of the United States of America shows her disappointment during her fourth-round loss to Russia's Ekaterina Makarova. Williams looked overwhelmed by the young Russian who won decisively 6-2, 6-3 and will face Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals.

Russia's Ekaterina Makarova of Russia plays a backhand during her match against Serena Williams. Makarova had all the right moves Monday against the heavily-favored American winning the match 6-2, 6-3. Makarova will take on Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals.

No. 2 Petra Kvitova overcame an embarrassing moment to defeat Ana Ivanovic and reach the quarters. She whiffed on a shot and it almost cost her the match. ''It was a very tough match at the end. I mean it was a really easy point then I thought I got it and I lost eight points in a row,'' she said. ''I'm very happy I played very well in the tiebreak.''

Petra Kvitova (right) is congratulated by Ana Ivanovic following their fourth round match. Kvitova won, 6-2, 7-6 (2), for a spot in the quarters.

Andy Murray played with force until his fourth-round opponent, Mikhail Kukushkin, retired with a left hip injury.

No. 4 Andy Murray is captured serving to Mikhail Kukushkin during their fourth-round match. Murray was leading 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 when Kukushkin retired with a hip injury.

No. 21 Ana Ivanovic, the former French Open champion, nearly found a way to upset No. 2 Petra Kvitova in the fourth round.