Federer eliminated in the semifinals of the Australian Open

Yep, Roger Federer, leader in the ATP world rating system, has been eliminated in the semifinals of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year by 3'rd seeded Novak Djokovic.

After three straight sets won (7-5/6-3/7-6), the Serbian player got closer to winning the first Grand Slam trophy of his career.

"It's amazing, an indescribable feeling to beat the number one player of the world, probably one of the best players this sport has ever had, in straight sets," Djokovic said.

"I'm very, very proud of myself.

"It's very difficult to play against a player who is so dominant on any surface and he's been so successful for the past couple of years.

"I'm just so amazed at how well I coped with the pressure, in the most important moments I played my best tennis."

"I think he made the more important points today, it was a bit unfortunate for me," Federer said. "It depends a lot on day form, you can't always play your best. There is no doubt I have played better before.

"I've created a monster that I need to win every tournament -- still the semifinals isn't bad."

In the other semifinal, played yesterday, Rafael Nadal (2'nd in the ATP race) was eliminated by unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after a perfect match from the Frenchman.

"I was playing fine," Nadal said. "He played unbelievable. Congratulate him."

"It is just amazing, unbelievable, nothing could stop me today," Tsonga revealed. "I tried to hit everything and everything went in, so what can I say?

"I was moving on the court like never I move. Everything was perfect!"

"My family said it is like a dream for them, everybody in France is happy for me. I will try to do my best for the final."

Tsonga will compete with Djokovic for the title of champion at the Australian Open, at a date yet to be announced.

Here are the winners of the Australian Open for the past 18 years:

YEAR	WINNER	FINALIST	SCORE
2007	Roger Federer	Fernando Gonazlez	76 64 64
2006	Roger Federer	Marcos Bagdhatis	57 75 60 62
2005	Marat Safin	Lleyton Hewitt	16 63 64 64
2004	Roger Federer	Marat Safin	76 64 62
2003	Andre Agassi	Rainer Schuettler	62 62 61
2002	Thomas Johansson	Marat Safin	36 64 64 76
2001	Andre Agassi	Arnaud Clement	64 62 62
2000	Andre Agassi	Yevgeny Kafelnikov	36 63 62 64
1999	Yevgeny Kafelnikov	Thomas Enqvist(u)	46 60 63 76
1998	Petr Korda	Marcelo Rios	62 62 62
1997	Pete Sampras	Carlos Moya(u)	62 63 63
1996	Boris Becker	Michael Chang	62 64 26 62
1995	Andre Agassi	Pete Sampras	46 61 76 64
1994	Pete Sampras	Todd Martin	76 64 64
1993	Jim Courier	Stefan Edberg	62 61 26 75
1992	Jim Courier	Stefan Edberg	63 36 64 62
1991	Boris Becker	Ivan Lendl	16 64 64 64
1990	Ivan Lendl	Stefan Edberg	46 76 52 Ret