Federer Puts Down Spent Kiefer to Gain Oz Open Final

How far Roger Federer has come in his dominance of the men's game -- just check the photo evidence. And pretty far in the personal grooming category as well.

The world No. 1 Federer looked fresh and battle-ready in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 win over a weary Nicolas Kiefer Friday at the Australian Open, advancing to the final where he will face another surprise package in unseeded crowd-pleasing Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

For the fourth time in their last four matches Kiefer took a set off the Swiss, but the effort took its toll as the German was then bageled in the third set and watched the Swiss run away with the fourth 6-2.

"It was tough in the beginning," Federer told Channel Seven in a courtside interview. "I really turned it up when I had to."

Kiefer's task was made all the more difficult by a physical test his previous match in the quarterfinals where he edged Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean in five sets.

Kiefer out-aced Federer 14 to 7 while only putting in 51 percent of his first serves in. Kiefer made 33 net approaches to the Swiss' 24, with the German converting on one of four break opportunities and making 53 unforced errors to Federer's 33.