Australian Open 2019: Roger Federer powers into fourth round

By Sporting Life

14:00 · FRI January 18, 2019

Roger Federer put on another tennis clinic on the Rod Laver Arena court to dispose of American Taylor Fritz in three sets to and set up a tasty looking fourth-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Federer was pushed in the second set by 21-year-old American Fritz but pulled off a succession of highlight reel shots in a 6-2 7-5 6-2 victory, hitting 34 winners.

The Swiss will play in the fourth round of a grand slam for the 63rd time against a man through to that stage for just the second time in 20-year-old Tsitsipas.

"It was very special Lenny was there!" @rogerfederer enjoyed having some family support today #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/p1gPpqK6St
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 18, 2019

The Greek is arguably the most exciting young star in tennis, but he also has a temper and, after the umpire decided to replay a set point for Tsitsipas during his clash with Nikoloz Basilashvili at 5-3 in the third set, the 14th seed let rip.

Pressed on his language afterwards, Tsitsipas said: "It was heat of the moment. I said some really bad things. I regret saying them. But I really wanted this really bad.

"At that moment it felt like it was slipping (away). He kind of found comfort and confidence after that. So I was really frustrated. I didn't quite think what I was saying. I wish I could change that and wouldn't say that. It's not the right attitude."

Tsitsipas knows he must be prepared not just physically but mentally, saying: "If I thought about it now it's insane I'm in this position where I can actually play him. It's really emotional.

Woah! Incredible angle from Basilashvili as @StefTsitsipas comes to net! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wJCN5CxXZ3
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 18, 2019

"It's not easy to play these kind of players that you've been watching for so long. Mentally you have to be much stronger than any other match. For players to beat him, they have to be ready and believe in themselves that they are, their game is great enough to beat such a player."

Federer is looking forward to the battle, saying: "I'm happy for him. He's playing so well, and I'm looking forward to the match-up with him. I like how he mixes up his game and also comes to the net. I think we will see some athletic, attacking tennis being played."

Statement win for Nadal

Rafael Nadal sent out a statement by crushing Australian hope Alex De Minaur 6-1 6-2 6-4.

Nineteen-year-old De Minaur won the warm-up tournament in Sydney and had been touted as the home country's best hope for success in the men's draw but the scoreline was exactly the same as in their meeting at Wimbledon last summer.

De Minaur showed great fighting spirit to make a game of it in the third set and saved five match points yet Nadal was simply too strong and moved through to an intriguing clash with Tomas Berdych.

Nadal said of the last game: "He's a big fighter and he's super quick. I played a great game until 40-0. That match point he saved was unbelievable. Probably he's the fastest on the tour.

"I think I played a very solid match. I want to congratulate Alex for a great start to the season. I think he has an amazing future."

On facing Berdych, Nadal added: "When you are coming back from a tough period of injuries, when you're playing well, the energy is even higher.

"I predict a very, very difficult match. I need to be at my best, I think I am on the right way. I need to keep it going."

Berdych back in the big time

A resurgent Berdych is through to the last 16 for the eighth time in the last nine years here after a 5-7 6-3 7-5 6-4 victory over 18th seed Diego Schwartzman.

Berdych missed the second half of last season with a back injury but has a strong record in Melbourne having reached at least the quarter-finals in seven of the last eight seasons.

Grigor Dimitrov continued to take advantage of his favourable draw, beating Italian Thomas Fabbiano 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-4 to set up a last-16 meeting with America's Frances Tiafoe.

The 20-year-old was in tears on court after backing up his big victory over Kevin Anderson by coming from two sets to one down to defeat Andreas Seppi.

Roberto Bautista Agut continued his strong run by taking out 10th seed Karen Khachanov and will now face sixth seed Marin Cilic, who survived match point to beat Fernando Verdasco in an epic five-set encounter.

Verdasco double-faulted when serving for the match during the fourth-set tie-break, which Cilic won before completing a comeback from two sets down.

🎾 Fernando Verdasco held a two-set lead over Marin Cilic...
💔 ...then double-faulted when earning match point in the fourth
🇭🇷 ...and so the sixth seed survives, winning 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 #AusOpen
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) January 18, 2019