Andy Murray dug deep to battle back pain but was unable to stop Roger Federer from sealing an Australian Open semi-final against his old foe Rafael Nadal.
Federer eventually ran out the winner over four sets in their Melbourne quarter-final despite a rally from Murray, who was often spotted grimacing with pain following his recent back surgery.
The 17-time grand slam winner was simply irresistible as he grabbed a two-set lead and the Wimbledon champion looked to be crashing out in straight sets with Federer not facing a break point until the third set.
Murray won that game to force a tiebreak, and somehow found a way back into the match after saving two match points. But the Scot's discomfort became all too apparent during his first service game of the fourth set, a 20-minute marathon including 10 deuce points.
With Federer going on the all-out attack from the very start of the match, the world No 4 stood little chance and the four-time winner in Melbourne closed out his victory 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3.
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