By Sam Lyon

Federer was at his efficient best in his victory over Blake in Melbourne

Defending champion Roger Federer underlined his quality with a three-set defeat of James Blake in the Australian Open quarter-finals in Melbourne.

The Swiss number one seed produced only glimpses of his best form, but found the big shots when he needed them.

He broke the American 12th seed in the first game of each set and even though Blake fought back, Federer proved too strong in sealing a 7-5 7-6 6-4 win.

Federer will face Serbian world number three Novak Djokovic in the last four.

News conference: Roger Federer

It was an efficient performance from the world number one, who also secured the number one ranking for a record 209th week with the win.

"It's great being on top of the game for so long and being compared to greats like (Rod) Laver and Pete Sampras," said Federer. "It's great being part of the pinnacle of the sport in every Grand Slam I'm playing in.

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"I heard rumours I could lose it (top ranking), but we're a long shot away from 'I got to lose, he's got to win'.

"We know how tough it is to win Grand Slams, it's a long way."

The Swiss got off to the perfect start when he broke Blake on his first service game of the match, but a series of powerful forehands saw the American hit back immediately.

Blake was competing on level terms with the Swiss, who has not been at his imperious best during the tournament, but, typically, Federer raised his game at just the right time to take a 6-5 lead and then breaking Blake to take the set.

The second set started like the first, but again Blake continued to test Federer with his athleticism around the court and aggression on first serve.

I thought I played pretty well. But he came up with some of his best at the right times Blake on Federer

The American was forced to save two sets points on his own serve, but Federer made the most of his vast experience in winning the second-set tie-break 7-5.

"There were two really tough points in a row in the tie-breaker," said Federer. "James played them to perfection and I was a bit lucky to get the ball back and get back into the points. They were key moments.

"James is such a great player, hits some incredible shots and he's so dangerous on any point, he's improved a lot over the last few years."

However, Blake's hopes of producing a remarkable turnaround ended when Federer broke him in the first and fifth games of the third set and, although the American broke back at 5-2, the Swiss favourite served out at the second time of asking to seal the match.

"I really went in thinking I had a good chance to win," Blake said. "I thought I played pretty well. But he came up with some of his best at the right times, and that was the difference."

He's improved so much in the last couple of years and it's exciting playing the best in the world Federer on semi-final opponent Novak Djokovic

The victory sent Federer into a remarkable 15th successive Grand Slam semi-final and continued his flawless record against Blake, which now stretches to eight matches.

However, he may have to up his game when he faces the 20-year-old Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set in this tournament.

"He's done a phenomenal job, four semi-finals of Grand Slams at his age," the Swiss said of Djokovic.

"I was never close to that at his age. He's improved so much in the last couple of years and it's exciting playing the best in the world."