5 Instances when Roger Federer's serve deserted him completely

#4 2011 Australian Open semifinal - Serving for the second set at 5-3 vs. Novak Djokovic

2011 Australian Open - Day 11.

Novak Djokovic's tennis prowess peaked from late 2010.

Again, it is the same plot at the 2008 Australian Open encounter between the two. Djokovic had beaten Federer in five sets at the 2010 US Open semifinal and was keen on stamping his authority in the realm of men's tennis.

Federer—the defending champion—was the No.2 seed and Djokovic was No.3. The first set was an exhibition of vintage passing shots, returns and forehand winners. But it was Djokovic who was dictating play—hitting his potent groundstrokes at will.

No matter what Federer threw at him, the Serbian came back with more vengeance. It almost looked like Federer was playing against an immovable wall, not Djokovic, as he was almost keeping all of the Swiss master's winners and ace-bound serves in play. The first set went to a tiebreaker which Djokovic comfortably won 7-3.

In the second set, both players traded breaks early in the set. Djokovic's stroke play was frustrating Federer. However, at 3-2 in the second set, there was an unlikely window of opportunity when Federer found himself at 15-30 on Djokovic's serve.

Federer then hit an astounding on-the-line backhand winner to get two break points and converted it after Djokovic netted a long rally.

Federer was serving for the set at 5-3. Djokovic quickly raised to a 15-30 lead and on the next point, fired a forehand winner to get two break points at 15-40.

Federer saved the first break point but on the next one, he hit a drop shot that landed a little deep which opened the door for Djokovic to fire home another forehand winner to make it 5-4 and back on serve.

The missed opportunity kept replaying over Federer's mind as he was easily broken in the following game and Djokovic won the set 7-5. The two-set lead perhaps knocked the winds of the sails for Federer as he was broken at 4-4 in the third set and lost the match in three sets.

Federer missed another opportunity to serve for the set against his new arch-rival. Had he served well, he would have won the second set and the result of the match could have well been different.

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Match result – Djokovic won 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-4

Match duration – 3 hours