Preview: Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray

Andy Murray and Roger Federer will meet in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday, marking the first time that the pair have faced each other before the final at a Grand Slam.

British third seed Murray is the only male in the last four who has yet to drop a set at the tournament as he looks to build on his US Open triumph four months ago.

The Scot has been in ruthless form in Melbourne, dismantling his opponents with clinical ease to reach an 11th major semi.

Meanwhile, four-time champion Federer encountered little resistance until his five-set quarter-final triumph over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Another Australian Open triumph for the Swiss world number two this year would see him become only the second man to win the event five times, overtaking such legends as Jack Crawford, Ken Rosewall and Andre Agassi.

Head to Head record:

Federer 9-10 Murray

Previous best at Australian Open:

Federer: Winner 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 Murray: Final 2010, 2011

Route to semi-finals:

Federer

R1: Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 6-1 R2: Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 6-4 6-4 R3: Bernard Tomic 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1 R4: Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2 QF: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3

Murray

R1: Robin Haase 6-3 6-1 6-3 R2: Joao Sousa 6-2 6-2 6-4 R3: Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-5 R4: Gilles Simon 6-3 6-1 6-3 QF: Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-1 6-2

Sports Mole says: Murray to edge his way past Federer