Roger Federer has the chance to win his 20th major singles title and sixth Australian Open after he advanced to the men's final when his opponent Hyeon Chung was forced to retire hurt on Friday night.
Chung had been hampered by a blister on his left foot before deciding to retire when the second-seeded Federer led 6-1, 5-2 on Rod Laver Arena, meaning the reigning men's champion in Melbourne will meet world number six Marin Cilic in Sunday night's final.
"I thought the first set was kind of normal, I couldn't tell what was going on with my opponent," Federer, who looked as stunned as the crowd at the sudden stoppage, said on court.
"In the second set, I could feel he was getting a bit slower, fighting with the blister. It hurts a lot.
"It's better to stop, that's why this one feels bittersweet. Credit to him for trying so hard again today."
The 36-year-old Swiss beat Cilic in last year's Wimbledon final to claim his 19th major and he will start firm favourite to repeat that result on Sunday, especially as he enters the men's decider without dropping a set.
Prior to Chung's retirement, he encountered little trouble when he faced off with the 58th-ranked South Korean under the roof, having taken just 33 minutes to secure the first set on the back of three breaks of serve.
Federer leapt out to a 4-1 lead in the second set before Chung got treatment on his left foot during a medical time-out.
He decided to retire only a few games later, allowing Federer to move through to his seventh Australian Open decider.
Cilic had advanced to the men's final when he downed Briton Kyle Edmund in straight sets in their Thursday night semi-final.
More to come.
