Andy Murray
Andy Murray of Britain celebrates winning the third set during his men's singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Australian Open tennis tournament in MelbourneReuters

British tennis player Andy Murray, who defeated Roger Federer to clinch gold at the 2012 London Olympics, beat the World No.2 again in a five-setter thriller on Friday to enter Australian Open final.

The 25-year-old U.S. Open Champion defeated Federer 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-final.

Murray, who defeated Jeremy Chardy in straights 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the quarter-final to script a clash with Federer in the semi-final, outplayed the Swiss veteran on Friday.

It looked like Murray would pack off Federer in the fourth set itself but the latter used his experience to win the set in the tie breaker. The Swiss veteran was pushed to the backfoot from the very start, and the unforced errors he committed didn't help him.  

Murray will now meet Novak Djokovic for the Australian Open title on Sunday.

The Serbian world number one defeated Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer 6-2 6-2 6-1 on Thursday.

In women's singles, Li Na of China will play defending champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the Australian Open final.

The 30-year-old Chinese, who became the first player from China to win a Grand Slam in singles by winning 2011 French Open, defeated the much-favoured Russian 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-final, whereas Victoria Azarenka defeated defeated Sloane Stephens of America 6-1, 6-4.