- Ruthless Swiss master Roger Federer kept intact his 20-year record of reaching at least the third round of the Australian Open after crushing Serb Filip Krajinovic on Wednesday.
Ruthless Swiss master Roger Federer kept intact his 20-year record of reaching at least the third round of the Australian Open after crushing Serb Filip Krajinovic on Wednesday.
The six-time champion first played at Melbourne Park in 2000 and has gone on to make the semi-finals or better on 14 occasions, with no exits before round three.
The 38-year-old third seed dominated the 41st-ranked Krajinovic 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena, stretching his record over him to 4-0.
Federer, who is bidding for a seventh title to match Novak Djokovic’s record, and his first since 2018, came into the tournament without playing a warm-up event but has nevertheless looked ominous.
Over his two matches, he has dropped just 13 games.
“Very happy, been a great start to the season,” said Federer as he moved a step closer to a 21st Grand Slam title.
“I feel really relaxed on court. I’ve trained hard and you always hope it pays off.”
Asked if he felt sorry for Krajinovic, he replied: “I do feel a bit sorry, but you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
He will next face Australian John Millman, who battled past 31st seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
Federer raced through his opening service game then broke straightaway when the Serb fired a backhand long.
The Swiss was in immaculate touch early and moving well, exhibiting his full repertoire, with some deft drop shots and quality groundstrokes as he dominated from the baseline and the net.
It was a lightning start and he broke again then held for 5-0 before the Serb finally got on the scoreboard, only to see Federer serve out the first set in just 20 minutes.
With a steely look in his eyes, he broke again to take a 1-0 lead in the second set.
But Krajinovic, who made two finals last year, regrouped and managed to work a breakpoint at 2-3 but couldn’t convert. He got another opportunity at 3-4 and this time didn’t waste it.
Clearly irked, Federer broke straight back with the Serb taking his frustrations out on his racquet, smashing it into the ground.
A double fault from the demoralised Krajinovic handed Federer a break to go 1-0 ahead in the third set and there was no way back against a man operating in a different sphere.
Despite his age, Federer remains a competitive force and won four singles titles last year.
But he failed to add another Grand Slam title with his closest call coming in the Wimbledon final, where he lost a five-set epic to Novak Djokovic.
(AFP)
