VIDEO: Federer sprints after dropper, flicks it past Djokovic

Novak Djokovic put on an absolute clinic in the first two sets of his Australian Open semifinal Thursday, winning both in a combined 53 minutes and leaving a shell-shocked Roger Federer searching desperately for answers, or possibly a miracle.

Federer found what he was looking for in the third set. On the 15th point of the set's 11-minute sixth game, he returned a deep Djokovic forehand with a lunging backhand stab, then somehow changed direction in time to not only run down Djokovic's well-placed drop volley, but chip it cross-court past him.

Federer would clinch the break (his first of the match) on the next point, which was all he'd need to take the set and earn a stay of execution.