By Chris Bevan

Djokovic has not dropped a set on his way to the semi-finals

World number three Novak Djokovic destroyed fifth seed David Ferrer 6-0 6-2 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The Serb blew Ferrer off the court in the first set with the Spaniard making too many unforced errors to challenge.

Only a late bout of nerves derailed Djokovic, who missed four match points before finally closing out his victory.

Djokovic will play defending champion Roger Federer after the world number one beat James Blake in straight sets.

It will be Djokovic's fourth-successive Grand Slam semi-final and he will go into it full of confidence after winning five matches here without dropping a set.

I even surprised myself with the way I played today, especially in the first two sets, but in the end I was very, very nervous Novak Djokovic

The 20-year-old was a class above Ferrer in the early stages, and the usually durable fifth seed struggled to hold him up.

The first two sets were done and dusted in just over an hour and it was only when Djokovic was 5-3 up in the third that he began to tie up.

Ferrer produced his best tennis of the match to save four match points on his own serve and broke back to level at 5-5.

Djokovic seemed to waver but he quickly regained his composure and immediately took Ferrer's serve apart again before wrapping up his win.

"I even surprised myself with the way I played today, especially in the first two sets, but in the end I was very, very nervous," Djokovic said.