Sun sets on Venus, Blake falls to Federer

Europe tightened its stranglehold on the Australian Open when America8217;s sole survivors were blasted out of the quarter finals on Wednesday.

Europe tightened its stranglehold on the Australian Open when America8217;s sole survivors were blasted out of the quarter finals on Wednesday.

Venus Williams went the way of sister Serena, battered by a Serb baseliner, and James Blake was pulverised by Roger Federer.

Wimbledon champion Venus was swept aside 7-6, 6-4 by fourth seed Ana Ivanovic and top seed Federer smashed Blake 7-5, 7-6, 6-4.

8220;She played well and hit a lot of good shots8230;so I give her a lot of credit,8221; the Wimbledon champion said. 8220;I have nobody to blame but myself.8221;

Ivanovic will meet Daniela Hantuchova in the semis after the Slovak pummelled Pole Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2.

Federer reached his 15th straight Grand slam Semi-final in imperious fashion, smashing Blake off court in a slugging battle. 8220;He8217;s such a great player and he hits great shots,8221; Federer said graciously.

8220;It8217;s just great being around in the last weekend of a Grand Slam.8221;

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Following Ivanovic8217;s victory, men8217;s third seed Novak Djokovic made it a super Wednesday for Serbia when he beat Spain8217;s David Ferrer 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 to seal a spot in the last four.

8220;This is just a start, hopefully I can go all the way. I have to start believing in myself a bit more,8221; an elated Djokovic said.

It may take more than self-belief given that next up is the magnificent Federer bidding for his 13th Grand Slam title.

Venus had been looking to avenge Serena8217;s quarter final loss to Serb Jelena Jankovic, but the result was the same as she floundered on a sun-drenched centre court. The American simply committed too many errors and allowed her 20-year-old opponent to dominate from the baseline. Ivanovic grabbed her opportunity with both hands.

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8220;It8217;s amazing, it was an amazing match and I8217;m just so thrilled to be through,8221; Ivanovic beamed in a courtside interview.

Venus and Ivanovic took to court after a double-quick opening match between Hantuchova and 28th-ranked Radwanska.

Hantuchova, a former quarter finalist at Wimbledon, the US Open and Melbourne Park, made the final four of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Djokovic survived a late bout of nerves to oust fifth seed Ferrer.

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The Serbian wasted four match points and was broken when serving for victory before pulling himself together.

8220;I even surprised myself the way I played, especially in the first two sets,8221; Djokovic said.

8220;In the end, I was very very nervous, there8217;s no excuse for that, and I was behaving really really badly.

8220;We all fight to win and sometimes on the court you cannot control your emotions, but I am really happy to be through. It8217;s an amazing feeling.8221;