MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Roger Federer has lots of reasons to like James Blake.

The 12th-ranked American has a reputation as a nice guy away from the court and a good sportsman on it. More important for Federer, Blake always puts up a good fight against the Swiss star - then loses.

Top-ranked Federer ran his record against Blake to 8-0 and advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals with a 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory yesterday. He next faces No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who beat No. 5 David Ferrer 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 to join two Serbian women in the semi-finals.

Ana Ivanovic ousted Venus Williams 7-6 (3), 6-4 yesterday, while Jelena Jankovic beat Serena Williams a day earlier. The same three players reached the French Open semi-finals last year on clay, proving they can win anywhere. Djokovic also made the Wimbledon semi-finals and was runner-up to Federer at the U.S. Open.