Fired-up Federer poised to pounce at unlikely crown

File photo shows former Australian tennis player Rod Laver holds a trophy presented to him during a ceremony on Australia Day at the Australian Open tennis tournament of 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Rocket's man

Australian legend Rod 'Rocket' Laver, whose name adorns the Melbourne center court, was one observer hoping for a ninth Grand Slam final between the long-time rivals.

"Yeah, it would be nice to see (Federer and Nadal) in the final," Laver told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"They've been battling each other for probably the last 11 years and now they're here with a good chance to go through.

"But again, any of these younger players coming through can be troublesome."

Laver, who called Federer his favorite modern-day player, added: "It is amazing to think that Roger is playing as well as he is at this moment.

"He had a knee operation which took him back, he was out of the game for six months.

"He's been working awfully hard and I think that's probably been the best thing; he probably never had this much time to prepare for specific people.

"I have not seen him play a backhand this well, as consistently as it has been the last three or four days."

After failing to catch fire against Jurgen Melzer and Noah Rubin, Federer has evoked memories of his glory days in his past two matches, especially his 90-minute demolition of Tomas Berdych.

Meanwhile the newly knighted Murray, who climbed to the top of the world rankings after a brilliant 2016, was left to ponder his crushing loss to German serve-volleyer Mischa Zverev on the long flight home.

"Early knight", and "Night Knight, Andy" headlined the Aussie media as the five-time losing finalist picked over his earliest Melbourne departure in eight years.

"I was full of confidence coming into the beginning of this year. I prepared as best as I could," Murray said.

"But maybe I have to have a look back and assess some things and see maybe if there's some stuff I could have done differently, or did my opponent just play a great match?"