Federer too strong for Phau

12 April 2012

Defending champion Roger Federer romped to a 7-5 6-0 6-4 victory over Bjorn Phau on the opening day of the Australian Open to book a place in the second round.

Phau had stormed into a 5-3 first-set advantage but Federer reeled off 10 straight games to take control.

Federer needed three match points to finally see off Phau in the third set after letting the German recover from 3-1 down to level at 3-3.

The world number one will meet Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman or France's Olivier Patience in the second round.

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