DHAKA: Record Grand Slam champion Roger Federer ended Andy Murray`s Australian Open hopes with a dramatic win in the quarter-finals.

The tennis maestro, 32, won 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in three hours and 20 minutes to set up a semi-final against world number one Rafael Nadal, the BBC reports.

Federer was relieved to come through to clinch an 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final place after the victory.

He had been on the verge of wrapping up a faultless three-set performance but failed to serve out the match, and then missed two match points in the tie-break.

Murray was fighting to stay alive in only his second tournament since back surgery, and saved six break points in a marathon 19-minute game early in the fourth set.

Federer fired a thunderous ace out wide to seal victory, and a real chance to win an unprecedented 18th Grand Slam title.

BDST: 2010 HRS, JAN 22, 2014