Federer blasts past Youzhny to book place in fourth round
Top seed Roger Federer provided some evening entertainment for the fans as he waltzed into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-3 7-6 win over Mikhail Youzhny.
Although taken to his first tiebreak of the event, Federer made another largely effortless step towards the defence of his title with victory in two hours and four minutes for his eighth straight win over the 25th-seeded Russian.
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The match also included a point in the final set that had the fans gasping and laughing in equal measure.
Exchanging a series of slow-paced backhand slices from the baseline, Federer gave a glimpse of his training regime when he dropped the ball at almost the same spot time and again during the lengthy rally. As expected he won the point.
"It happens a lot in practice, that you have a slice duel," said the world number one.
"I mean, having it in a match, all of a sudden you play the point properly again, then it goes back to that, it's kind of fun. The crowd definitely enjoys that.
"I thought as well it was entertaining. Most important is that I won it," he grinned. "That's why I went out there today."
Federer, yet to lose a set in this year's Melbourne Park bid, sealed the first set with a booming ace only ruled in after he referred it to the Hawk-eye instant replay technology.
The Russian, who upset Rafael Nadal en route to last year's U.S. Open semi-finals, required treatment to his back after the first set but recovered from 0-3 to take the third to a tiebreak on Rod Laver Arena.
The win was Federer's 32nd consecutive victory on tour and he was confident of extending the record to 33 when he faces Serbian 14th seed Novak Djokovic for a place in the quarter-finals.
"Played him twice last year, Davis Cup and at Monaco. Beat him both times," said Federer.
"He's definitely improved since. Youngsters always improve quickly.
"Seems like he is playing pretty good. Of course I'm the big favourite. This is maybe his big moment where he can maybe make a name for himself no doubt.
"But he already missed that opportunity twice. Usually when I beat a guy twice, I know how to play him. I hope I can take advantage of that."
