Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his Men's Singles quarter-final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 24, 2017. [Photo/IC]

Fluent Federer flattens Zverev

Four-time champion Roger Federer took Mischa Zverev apart 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 with a clinical display of all-court tennis to reach his 13th Australian Open semifinal in just 92 minutes on Tuesday.

Chasing his 18th Grand Slam title, and first since 2012, the 35-year-old Federer neutered the left-handed German's serve-and-volley game to set up a last-four meeting with fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

Zverev had upset top seed Andy Murray in round four but found Federer a much tougher proposition on Rod Laver Arena, losing the first set in 19 minutes and never looking a threat to the world No 17, who was at his fluent best.