TENNIS: Roger Federer Into US Open Final After Beating Swiss Compatriot Stan Wawrinka

Roger Federer, left, saw off Stan Wawrinka in straight sets

Roger Federer is one win away from an 18th major title after the Swiss swept past Stan Wawrinka to reach the US Open final. Federer had been expecting a tight battle with his compatriot but the world number two strolled through in just 92 minutes with a 6-4 6-3 6-1 victory. It means Federer is still yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this year and he will now face Novak Djokovic, who earlier beat defending champion Marin Cilic for the loss of just three games - the most one-sided grand slam semi-final in the Open era.

Federer is gunning for his sixth US Open title but the 34-year-old has not reached the final in New York since 2009.

"I'm very happy, it's been a great tournament so far," Federer said.

"I've tried very hard in the last six years to get to the final, I've come close a few times, tonight it worked against Stan, who's also played a great tournament."

The Press Association report continues:

Wawrinka had easily beaten Federer in straight sets when the pair met at the French Open in June but the tables were turned in Arthur Ashe Stadium as the veteran continued his excellent run of form.

Federer, unbeaten now in 12 matches, was not broken once while he managed to break Wawrinka five times during another dominant display, which also included 29 winners.

"My form is definitely very good, maybe my best," Federer said.

"I'm not sure but I'm serving very well, playing positive tennis, I'm going for my shots and I'd love it to work just one more time this year."

Djokovic will provide a formidable test, however, having beaten Federer at the Wimbledon final in July, after the Swiss had shown similarly impressive form in the earlier rounds.

The stakes are high as Djokovic bids to win his 10th major title, and his third this year, while Federer aims finally to seal his first since Wimbledon in 2012.

"He's had a tremendous year," Federer said of his rival.

"There's always a lot on the line when we play each other, particularly in finals, he can get his third of the year, I can get my first for some time.

"He's been the best mover on hard courts for some time now and he's so consistent on any surface.

"He's tough to beat, tough mentally, he doesn't give you anything. I like that challenge and I'll be ready for it."

Djokovic took just 85 minutes to hammer Cilic 6-0 6-1 6-2, although the Croatian appeared to be struggling with an ankle injury.

The heavy margin of victory trumps the previous record for a grand slam semi-final, set at the 2001 US Open when Lleyton Hewitt dispatched Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-1 6-2 6-1.

"If people didn't already know, Marin was carrying an ankle injury for the last couple of matches," Djokovic said.

"He was courageous to come out and finish the match today so applauds to him."

Cilic ousted Federer and Kei Nishikori on his way to the title last year but the world number nine was blown away by Djokovic, who broke serve eight times and made just 13 unforced errors.

It is the first time in his career the Serbian has made all four major finals in a single year, with his sole defeat coming against Wawrinka in the French Open final in June.

"It is a great achievement and I'm very proud of it," Djokovic said.

"I owe great gratitude to my family and my team. These are the tournaments you want to be performing your best.

"I haven't been very successful in the finals of the US Open, I have won one and lost four but have been playing some of my best tennis on these courts. I can promise I will give my maximum, I cannot predict the result but I will give it my best."