Roger Federer strolls into third round of Australian Open with dominant showing against Filip Krajinovic
Next up for Federer
Australian John Millman. Likely to be another match under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.
Federer* 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Here it is then, three match points for Federer with the wind knocked out of Krajinovic's sail. The Serbian saves the first, watching a Federer forehand fly long and then stops a second. Federer wraps it up on the third with a forehand winner. GAME, SET AND MATCH: FEDERER REACHES THIRD ROUND
Perfect Federer
Roger Federer masterclasses Filip Krajinovic 6-1 6-4 6-1 to rush into the 3rd round #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/PlNUHPX9uP— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 22, 2020
Federer 6-1, 6-4, 5-1 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic affords himself a wry smile to his corner as he marches back to the baseline ready to receive another serve. At 40-15 down, he knows the game is very nearly up.
Federer* 6-1, 6-4, 4-1 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic took a medical timeout during that changeover for the doctor to treat a right-arm complaint. He doesn't appear in too much discomfort as he hangs around in a lengthy rally during the restart, but nonetheless he does find himself staring at two break points.
He attempts to cut short the next rally, advancing to the net, but he can't control a Federer shot into the body. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer* 6-1, 6-4, 3-1 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic still battling, his head drops temporarily as Federer draws level at 30-all, but his net play is still reaping the rewards.
Federer, sensing Krajinovic's need to rush the net, loops one long and has the Serbian scampering to the net and attempting a 'hot dog' return. He fails with the execution but it's well received by the crowd. Federer keeps chipping away, edges to advantage with Krajinovic blowing harder each point now.
Krajinovic comes out on top of a 17-shot rally for a second advantage, but Federer produces his 15th winner from the forehand wing to contain his opponent. The Serbian hangs tough and finally after the fourth deuce gets over the line. He retreats to his chair and requests to see the doctor as he almost doubles-over in his seat.
Federer 6-1, 6-4, 2-0 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Blink and you miss it. Federer holds to 15 and you have to think this set will be one-way traffic like the first again.
Federer* 6-1, 6-4, 1-0 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Just over an hour played now and Krajinovic is already facing an early setback in the third, trailing 15-40 as Federer whips a backhand winner past him as he thinks about approaching the net.
He misses a first serve and then forlornly drops his shoulders as he shapes to deliver the next serve. Unsurprisingly, he delivers a double. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer 6-1, 6-4 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic smashed his racket and was handed a warning by James Keothavong in the chair for his fit of pique.
Federer, all guns blazing again now, race to 30-0 and then has two sets points at 40-15. He misses a first serve, but the second is strong enough to wrap up a second set. FEDERER WINS SECOND SET TO TAKE TWO SETS TO LOVE LEAD.
Federer* 6-1, 5-4 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Anxious moments now for Krajinovic. Straight after breaking he's a mini-break down himself. He's digging deep and still finding success at the net with a solid backhand volley at the net. He's got Federer motoring on the baseline now, but the Swiss is making Krajinovic play one more shot, and it draws the error. Federer now has two break points. He only needs the one as Krajinovic pushes a backhand volley into the net. He stands with his arms on the net and shoulders hunched. FEDERER BREAKS BACK
Federer 6-1, 4-4 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer's level has dropped slightly this set with Krajinovic continuing to feel his way into the match. The Serbian has another break point, but Federer closes the door again, stepping into a short return to push a winner home.
A weak forehand into the net hands Krajinovic another break point. The Serbian tightens his two-handed grip on his racket as he lines up for the next service return. He holds his nerve and forces Federer to pass him, he can't. KRAJINOVIC BREAKS
Federer* 6-1, 4-3 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Crafty play from Federer now, disguising a drop shot from the baseline which Krajinovic doesn't ever bother getting out of the sprinting blocks for.
The Serbian might say he was containing his energy levels as he sends a beautiful winner down the line on his way to 40-30. More joy at the net, with some classic serve-volley play keeps him close this set.
Federer 6-1, 4-2 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer made to work a bit harder for this game, Krajinovic drawing level at deuce and hanging in a long rally and watching Federer slice long to hand his opponent a break point. The Serbian, no doubt with adrenaline at an all-time high, strikes into the tramlines and the moment is gone. An ace out wide before a long return gets Federer over the line in his longest game of the championship so far, stretching nearly five minutes.
Federer* 6-1, 3-2 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic opts to hang back at the baseline, missing the chance to step into court and cut down the rallies. It's a plan which fails. At 15-30 he does venture to the net, but can only watch on as Federer flashes an unbelievably cross-court winner past him. Krajinovic saves the first break point, and then watches a Federer backhand loop long for deuce. Three straight points steers the game in the Serbian's favour before he finally has joy at the net and Federer, this time at least, doesn't have the answer.
Federer 6-1, 3-1 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Back-to-back aces from Federer secure another comfortable hold, this time to 15. Surprisingly, Federer's first serve percentage is down at 60 per cent this set. Not that you'd know it. His play has been pretty much flawless.
Federer* 6-1, 2-1 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
You have to feel for Krajinovic out there. He's in quick sand on Rod Laver Arena. Another love hold keeps the gas in his tank ticking over - for now.
Federer 6-1, 2-0 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Stunning from Federer. How does he keep on performing at the highest level so consistently and effortlessly? Another game where he races to three game points. This time Krajinovic takes a point off the great man, but it's a mere side note, Federer rattles down an ace for another comfortable hold.
Federer* 6-1, 1-0 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Federer not letting up at the start of the second set, moving 0-30 in front before an ace from Krajinovic and an awkward but successful drop shot volley draws him back to 30-all. An unforced error at the net hands Federer another break point. Federer is all over Krajinovic's first serve and breaks early this set too. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer 6-1 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Clean and precise as per usual from Federer as he finds the corners and punishes Krajinovic for winning that last game. In a flash he's three set points up. A love game and a first set. Boom. FEDERER WINS FIRST SET IN 20 MINUTES!
20 minutes ⏰
That's all it takes for @rogerfederer to secure the opening set, 6-1 against Krajinovic.#AO2020 | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/MbgiiEhDYz— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
Federer* 5-1 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic, looking to prevent a bagel opening set, makes inroads this game, racing to three game points.
Federer swipes and misses a first serve and the Serbian holds to love.
Federer 5-0 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Federer catches Krajinovic off guard on the baseline with a whipped forehand return with the Serbian scampering the other way. Krajinovic dictates the next point, keeping Federer behind the baseline before executing at the net, but Federer won't keep his foot off the gas. Game No 5 in 15 minutes!
Federer* 4-0 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic staying stronger this service game, is edged back to 30-all but takes the next crucial point. Federer eeks out enough space to deliver a forehand winner into the corner for deuce. The Serbian shakes his head after dumping a groundstroke into the middle, and now Federer has another break chance. The Swiss, of course, grabs it with both hands, another forehand winner making it four in a row. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer 3-0 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
Krajinovic trying to stay toe-to-toe with Federer, a forehand winner drawing him level at 30-all.
The Serbian loses a challenge on a Federer serve and then can't get enough on a drop shot to lose a third straight game.
Federer started... sharp, uh?
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 22, 2020
Federer* 2-0 Krajinovic (*denotes next server)
Federer strolling at the start of their match, whips a couple of backhand winners down the line for a mini break and then delivers a forehand cross-court winner to surge to three break points. Sublime. Krajinovic keeps Federer at bay with an ace, backed up with a deft drop shot but is at pains to save a third. FEDERER BREAKS.
Federer 1-0 Krajinovic* (*denotes next server)
A far few empty seats for the start of this second evening match following Serena Williams' win as Federer races through his opening service game. Krajinovic gets a point on the board before Federer steps in for a comfortable forehand winner to wrap up a straight-forward start.
Warm up underway on Rod Laver Arena
Plenty of Swiss flags too visible from the stands as usual. Not so many Serbian ones on display - as yet that is.
Interesting
If Roger Federer reaches the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, he'll do it without facing a seed or a top 40 player. They're all gone in his section
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 22, 2020
Will it be 4 and 0 after today?
Next up on @RodLaverArena: ���� Krajinovic v ����Federer
The third seed holds a 3-0 H2H record, but tonight's their first meeting at a Grand Slam. Who will come out on top? ��#AO2020 | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/G8lGEIYLmk— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
Federer ready for second-round clash
Roger Federer plays his second-round match at Melbourne Park today and, according to his line of thinking, the first few matches he plays in a Grand Slam tournament are as important as the ones at the fortnight end.
"I think for me really the first three rounds are key to get going, to get used to the pressure," Federer said after his first-round win over Steve Johnson. "Just to stay calm, when to save break-point or 30-all points, or just to stay calm if you're down a set and a break or whatever it might be."
The 20-time grand slam singles champion will play Filip Krajinovic, who will have little rest ahead of the match. He won a tough five-setter that finished late Tuesday afternoon in a match postponed from Monday.
Meanwhile, seven-time champion Novak Djokovic avoided the same mistake he made three years go when he met a wild-card entry in the second round in Melbourne.
Djokovic beat Tatsuma Ito 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a swirling breeze on Rod Laver Arena to advance to a third-round match against another Japanese player, Yoshihito Nishioka, who defeated 30th-seeded and British No 1 Dan Evans.
In 2017, Djokovic was upset in the second round by Denis Istomin who, like Ito, had earned his spot in the main draw by winning the Asia-Pacific wild-card playoff. That was Djokovic's worst performance in Australia since a first-round exit in 2006.
