Melbourne, Jan. 27 (ANI): Roger Federer entered his 23rd-straight grand slam semi-final here on Wednesday.

But, he faced a stiff fight from Russian Nikolay Davydenko before winning the match 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 after looking rattled and gone early in the second set.

The world No.1 turned the match around in the space of a few minutes and went on to win 13 games in a row to shut the sixth seed out.

But, just as bizarrely as he imploded, Davydenko gave the match another twist as he fought his way back in the fourth set.

He saved a match point with a sizzling backhand return and breaking Federer as he served for the match and threatening to take it to five sets.

Davydenko’s return to form, however, came too late, as the damage had been done in an hour-long streak in which Federer won 13 games in a row.

At a set and a break down at 3-1 in the second set, Federer saved three break points as Davydenko failed to put away an easy backhand which would have given him a stranglehold on the match.

A rare backhand winner from Federer followed up by an ace gave the Swiss the game.

Federer immediately broke Davydenko back in the next game to put the set back on even terms and himself back in the match. (ANI)