Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will play each other at the Australian Open for the third year in a row, with their previous two matches both going five sets.
Djokovic won the first encountered in the fourth round before going on to take the 2013 title. The next one, in the 2014 quarterfinals, saw Wawrinka get the victory and eventually win the tournament. This year, the two will meet in the semifinals, both having played their best tennis of the tournament in the quarterfinals.
"They are expecting another marathon," Djokovic said courtside following his quarterfinal victory, noting the reaction in the arena. "We ask the most of each other."
Wawrinka, who produced a dominating performance against Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals, indicated he was looking forward to their next encounter. "I think for sure it will be funny to play him again," he said. "I will be happy to play him three straight year in a row. We had some crazy match in the Grand Slams in the past.
"You know when you play Novak, especially in semifinal in a Grand Slam, you have to play your best game. You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I'm playing great. I'm confidence with my game. I'm happy I won in three sets today. Let's see. I'm going to get ready for the semifinal."
The two also went five sets at the U.S. Open two years ago. Djokovic leads their head-to-head meetings 16-3, but the Serb expects another tough contest.
"When we played last three Grand Slam matches they were the finals stages of a Grand Slam, semifinals, quarterfinals," he said. "Grand Slams are the tournaments where you want to perform your best. I'm sure we both are very much aware of that fact, and it's why we get to play on a high level against each other and we push each other to the limit in a way. It's a very physical battle, as well.
"But I haven't had too many long matches during this tournament. I'm ready for it. I'm going to practice tomorrow, do a little preparation for that match, try to analyze his game and what I need to do in order to win."