So far so good for impressive Federer

Australian Open

Defending champion Roger Federer was way too good for Richard Gasquet as he booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner required only one hour and 59 minutes to see off the Frenchman 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday evening.

Federer claimed two breaks of serve in the opening set and one in the 12th game of the second set to go two love up.

Things were going according to plan when he again broke in the second game of the third set, but Gasquet fought back in the seventh game to get things back on serve.

It was only the second time in the tournament that Federer had been broken, but that was as good as it got for the 29th seed as the world No 2 wrapped the match up in the 10th game.

Federer will take on Marton Fucsovics from Hungary for a place in the quarter-final.

“Expectations are different this year. I’m coming in this year very fit, very well equipped, knowing that five sets are not an issue,” the 26-year-old said.

“The [Tomas] Berdych match [in the third round last year] was really key to showing myself that I can play a great match and maybe I can do it again and again. I don’t know if that’s how it’s going to happen this year, but so far so good.”

Australian Open Grand Slams News Richard Gasquet Roger Federer

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