Fed Express rolls into another Australian Open final

Roger Federer is into his sixth Australian Open final after overcoming compatriot Stan Wawrinka in an epic five-set semi-final thriller.

Making a return to elite tennis after six months out following knee surgery, Federer finally put Wawrinka to the sword 7-5 6-3 1-6 4-6 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, becoming the oldest man to make a grand slam final since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974.

Federer looked like he would wrap up the match in straight sets and march into his 28th grand slam final when he was up two sets and with Wawrinka walking off the court almost in tears to have his knee strapped.

Can he complete the fairytale? Image: Getty

But in a stunning turnaround Wawrinka stormed back to take the third and fourth 6-1, 6-4.

Commentators were left gobsmacked at Federer's dramatic drop in form, while Federer afterwards said he couldn't find his rhythm.

DRAMATIC TURNAROUND: Federer's woeful set leaves commentators stunned

"He relaxed really, and I couldn't serve well as I did the next thing I know it was hard to stop the bleeding," Federer said.

"I fought in the fourth, and I could not get my rhythm back.

"Stan was playing with nothing to lose."

With a break point hanging over Wawrinka's head, a double fault gifted Federer a crucial fifth set break and he then served out the match to love.

"He gave a bit of a cheap break, I did not really deserve it at that moment," Federer said.

"But after that I saw it home and I could not be happier right now."

Federer will have the chance to win his fifth Australian Open crown and 18th career grand slam title in Sunday's final against Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov.

He last lifted a grand slam trophy at Wimbledon in 2012 while he hasn't won at Melbourne Park since 2010.

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