World number one Roger Federer has stormed into a record-equalling seventh successive Grand Slam final with a straight sets humiliation of American rival Andy Roddick at the Australian Open.

Serena Williams has strenuously denied allegations a person in her courtside box tried to temporarily blind her opponent during their Australian Open semi-final.

Martina Hingis has little chance of reclaiming the world number one spot, lacking the weapons to make it back to the top, former US Open champion Tracy Austin claims.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams battled through to the Australian Open final Thursday, staving off a determined challenge to beat Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

Taiwan's Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung have upset defending champions Yan Zi and Zheng Jie of China to make the Australian Open women's doubles final.

Spain's world number two Rafael Nadal has been dumped out of the Australian Open in straight sets by red-hot Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the quarter-finals.

German 12th seed Tommy Haas fought back from match point down to beat Nikolay Davydenko in five sets and advance to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Top seed Maria Sharapova has won a tough all-Russian quarter-final over 12th seed Anna Chakvetadze 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.