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Roger Federer 'surprised' by form ahead of Australian Open semi-final with Stan Wawrinka

Federer set for all-Swiss showdown with Wawrinka on Thursday

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Roger Federer says he's surprised by how well he's playing

Roger Federer admits he is "surprised" to have won five matches on his comeback from a six-month injury break, as hopes rise of an 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Federer is one win away from his first Grand Slam final in 18 months after beating Andy Murray's conqueror Mischa Zverev to set up a semi-final meeting with Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka on Thursday.

Fabulous Federer into semis
Fabulous Federer into semis

Roger Federer beats Mischa Zverev in straight sets to reach Australian Open semi-final

The 35-year-old had been considered past his prime after an injury-ravaged 2016, but he rolled back the years with a masterful win in just 92 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer admits he has been taken aback by his form in Melbourne as he eyes a first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.

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Four-time champion Federer eased into the semi-finals

"I felt I was always going to be dangerous on any given day in a match situation. But obviously as the tournament would progress, maybe I would fade away with energy," Federer said.

"I think now that I'm in the semis, feeling as good as I am, playing as good as I am, that's a huge surprise to me.

"If someone would have told me I'd play in the semis against Stan, never would I have called that one for me. For Stan, yes, but not for me."

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Stan Wawrinka expects a great match with compatriot Roger Federer

Federer will make a record 13th Australian semi-final appearance and 41st Grand Slam last four appearance on Thursday, but he is aware of the threat Wawrinka poses despite the US Open champion having only won three out of their 21 matches.

"I think him and Rafa (Nadal) know my game best. Stan and I practised so much together. Yeah, I guess those two guys know me very well," Federer said.

Federer's fabulous 17
Federer's fabulous 17

We look back at the career of the 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer

Federer was in dominant form against Zverev on Tuesday as he hit 65 winners while making just 13 unforced errors and breaking the left-hander six times.

"I think it definitely went as good as it possibly could have gone," Federer said. "I think I played great. Mischa has had a wonderful tournament."

Check previews, reports and our live blog from Roger Federer v Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open by following us on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad or our Twitter account @skysportstennis.

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