MELBOURNE, Australia — Appearing ill for much of the match, defending champion Novak Djokovic held on to beat David Ferrer 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-1 and complete a blockbuster semifinal lineup at the Australian Open.

He leads the top four men in tennis into the semis at Melbourne Park — Djokovic against No. 4 Andy Murray, who won his quarterfinal match earlier Wednesday 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 over Kei Nishikori of Japan.

On Thursday, No. 2 Rafael Nadal plays No. 3 Roger Federer, the first time the two former top-ranked stars have met in a semifinal since the 2005 French Open.

Djokovic said he’d be watching the Nadal and Federer match like any tennis fan.