Switzerland's Roger Federer has won a place in the Australian Open final with a straight sets victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero that also made him the world No.1.

Federer beat Ferrero 6-4 6-1 6-4 with a display of mechanical, emotionless precision tennis that will make him a short-priced favourite to win his second grand slam title.

Before the match, Federer had been the official world No.2, although few doubted that he was the most talented player in the game.

Even fewer doubted it after this demolition of Spain's Ferrero, the reigning French Open champion and the world No.3.

Federer takes over from Andy Roddick, the American who had acquired the top position thanks to the biggest serve in tennis and the vagaries of the ranking system.

When the new rankings are released on Monday they will show Ferrero at No.2 and Roddick at No.3 - and the other Open finalist Marat Safin of Russia a lot better than the 66th place he occupied at the start of the championship.

Federer had dropped only two sets in six previous matches, and in what should have been his toughest match he was in no danger of adding to that total.

There was also little danger of him allowing more than a muffled groan betray his emotions.

"Maybe I have a poker face sometimes," Federer said.

"But I get very nervous."

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