Australian Open: Andy Murray sets up semi-final tie with Djokovic

Andy Murray progressed to the semi-finals of the Australian Open after completing a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win in a straight sets victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori in Melbourne.

Nishikori had made the first set difficult for the British number one, but Murray always seemed to be in control. He dictated play throughout the game despite a low first serve percentage. Facing Djokovic on Friday evening (starts 0830GMT) however will be a far sterner test for the Scotsman who reached the semi-final stages of this major for the third year in a row. Having seen off the plucky Nishikori on the day Scottish folk celebrate Burns Night, Murray will set his sights on world number one Novak Djokovic, who survived an energy-sapping encounter with David Ferrer in his quarter-final. Roger Federer comfortably eased into the semi-finals again with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan Martin Del Potro. The Swiss former world number one will meet Spanish ace Rafael Nadal, who made hard work in despatching Tomas Berdych 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 6-3. In the woman's singles Maria Sharapova saw off her Russian counterpart Makarova in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash with Czech Republic newcomer Kvitova. The other semi-final is taking place on Thursday and will feature Belgian ace Kim Clijsters against third seed Azarenka.