Serb Novak Djokovic proved himself as the best player in the world once again on Thursday night.

In the semifinals of the Australian Open, the world No. 1 and five-time champion here put on an absolute master class against Roger Federer for the first two sets of play, then held off a spirited charge by the player that many consider to be the greatest player ever, triumphing 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

The victory books Djokovic into a fifth final in six years at this event. Here’s what went down inside Rod Laver Arena while you were sleeping.

Djokovic and Federer were meeting for a 45th time, the two deadlocked at 22 match wins apiece. But Djokovic took his first-ever lead in the rivalry with a decisive win, one that – for much of the first two sets – completely silenced a shell-shocked Australian crowd.

Djokovic, a 10-time major champion himself…