Roger Federer said he is ready to face a more aggressive Andy Murray in the Australian Open semi-final after coming through a dramatic quarter-final.

The second seed dropped sets for the first time in the tournament against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but prevailed 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3.

It sets up a re-match of last year's London Olympics final which Murray won.

"This is a bit different here," said Federer. "But I've played Andy now some times in the last six months."

The match on Friday will be the second time the pair have met in Australia, with Federer winning the 2010 final in straight sets. He also beat Murray in last year's Wimbledon final.

Federer v Murray head-to-head

"I know what to expect; whereas it would be different if I hadn't played him," said Federer. "Because he has changed his game around a bit. He's playing more offensive. I'm looking forward to it.

"He's obviously a great player, and I was very happy for him when he won his first Grand Slam and the gold. So I'm expecting a tough match, of course."

Federer has a 9-10 record against Murray but has won all three of their meetings at Grand Slams - in the finals of the 2008 US Open, the 2010 Australian Open and last year's Wimbledon.

But the 31-year-old world number two played down that fact when it was put to him after his win over Tsonga in Wednesday's night match.

"I don't go into it with a mindset that I've never lost to him in Slams," said Federer. "He's beaten me so many times. He's beaten me more times than I've beaten him.

"But I'm happy you've given me the positive news. It's a good vibe. I'll try to remember that when I walk out, but it doesn't play a huge role for me."

And the 17-time Grand Slam champion said he was impressed by the way Murray has altered his game to become more of a potent attacking force.

"That's what matters I think the most for him now - in the moment itself, how offensive can you play when the ball is coming flat and hard into the middle?

"You have to know also when to back off. He's very clever at all these things. He knows how it works. But I think it's especially on the return that you see the biggest significant change in his game overall if you look back now."