Andy Murray set for Australian Open reunion with Roger Federer

"I've played him around 20 times," said the Scot, who leads their head-to-head 11-9. "You know how you need to play against him, and you know tactically the things that work and the things that don't work."

What Murray can certainly expect is an opponent keen to get to the net at every opportunity, something Federer, 32, has done 112 times in four matches, compared to 54 from Murray.

Federer, seeded sixth, is in the early stages of working with six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg, one of the game's great volleyers.

"It's just a different perspective," said the Swiss, who swept past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous round.

"He did things his way back in the day - I'm sure things were different back then - but still you can take so many things from his experience.

"I want to maybe try out a few things that worked for him, try out a few things that he thinks would work out for me this time around.

"Sure, we'll discuss it, assess it, but he's here now more for support, making me feel comfortable, giving me right advice, pre-match, post-match, discussing it with Severin [Luthi] my coach."

Perhaps of equal significance are the four-time Australian Open champion's now healthy back, which hampered him in a disappointing 2013, and a new racquet with a 98-square-inch head - as opposed to the 90-inch frame he used beforehand.t year is pretty rlevant because it's on the same court and it will be under the same conditions," he said. "But in an individual sport, any day is a new day. Anything can happen.

"You play 10% below your best and you can be off the court quickly. So whether my tactics are great or not, I need to play a great match.

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