Australian Open 2012: Novak Djokovic given tough workout by David Ferrer but battles through to semis The tenacious Ferrer pushed Djokovic hard, manoeuvring him around the court, but the world No 1 stepped up his game when it mattered to win 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 in 2 hours and 44 minutes. Looking tired at the end of the first set, Djokovic produced a stunning blind, backhand winner at full stretch from the back of the court early in the second, breaking in the first game. "Already after a couple of games I was feeling it was going to be a long match," Djokovic said. "There was a big mental advantage to getting two sets up," he said, adding that he had stepped up his aggression as the match wore on and it paid off." When quizzed about a possible fitness issue afterwards, Djokovic was giving nothing away. "You have to hang in there, David is a great competitor and he always makes you hit every shot," he said. I wasn't feeling very fresh. Djokovic will take on Murray in Friday's semi-final, a repeat of last year's final which the Serb won in straight sets to clinch the first of three grand slam titles last season.