Bernard Tomic remains undefeated this year but he now measures himself against the one and only Roger Federer in the third round of the 2013 Australian Open. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:00pm AEDT.
After scrapping to victory against Daniel Brands in the second round, Tomic has earned another shot against Federer and will be desperate to prove he indeed belongs in the elite of men’s tennis.
The Australian met Federer last year in the Australian Open fourth round, but was outplayed in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 defeat.
Federer then outclassed Tomic yet again in last year’s Cincinnati Masters, so the Swiss Maestro certainly has the Australian’s measure thus far.
Tomic however believes he is well placed to finally defeat the 17 time Grand Slam winner on Rod Laver Arena tonight given his recent strong performances.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist is on a ten match winning streak, with his latest victory coming against Brands of Germany.
Despite outlasting the German in four sets on Thursday, Tomic really needs to play on the front foot tonight if he is any hope of matching Federer.
Prediction
At 31 years of age, Federer’s shot making remains as clinical and precise as ever, as evidenced by his straight sets victory over Nikolay Davydenko in the second round.
The Swiss superstar continues to astound audiences with his forehand and backhand shots, and moves around the court with a grace that is unrivalled on the ATP tour.
Add the fact that Federer almost never loses in the early rounds of a Grand Slam and it is easy to see why Tomic has his work cut out tonight.
Tomic is undoubtedly the biggest rising star on the ATP tour but his reactive play against Brands will prove his downfall against Federer.
Federer is a master of putting away short balls with his remarkable forehand and is also well adept to dealing with Tomic’s slices.
The 20 year old must pounce on anything short offered by Federer tonight and would do well to target his backhand, given that this is the side that will most likely break down when the Swiss maestro is under pressure.
Although he hits a lot of winners, Federer also produces a lot of unforced errors given his highly offensive game, so Tomic must make sure his groundstrokes are hit deep. This will allow him to keep Federer playing from the back of the court.
If he can do this, Tomic will force Federer from his comfort zone, and this in turn may lead to a high quantity of unforced errors from Federer’s racquet.
Anything passive from Tomic however will see Federer offer the Australian another tennis lesson en route to a comprehensive win.
Given the present form of both players, Tomic should be more competitive than last year’s outing, but Federer at the moment still possesses too much class and talent for the Australian to handle and should win in three competitive sets.
Federer in straight sets.
Oracle
Guest
I am not a Tomic fan, but was really impressed with him in the first two sets. He played extremely well. The only thing that bothered me was that Bernarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd "Mr 70%" Tomic returned when he realised that he was up against it in the third set. Great to see Federer produce yet again when it really counted
Alan
Roar Guru
Well Federer's class, movement and supreme freakish ball striking ability proved the difference in what was at times a tense straight sets victory over Tomic tonight. Federer was comfortable in sets 1 and 3 but he was pushed big time in the second set and appeared frustrated after he could not break Tomic in the second set as the Australian just kept producing clutch tennis time and time again. Federer though stayed true and eventually outclassed Tomic in straight sets. Tomic probably played his best set of tennis in his career in the second set tonight. Good learning curve for the Aussie as Federer rolls on to a fourth round. Thanks for joining us tonight and join us next time on The Roar. Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 6
seiran
Guest
Go Federer! Glad to see the great white hype get a kicking from the master.
Stevo
Guest
A pleasure to watch a master at work. Tomic did very very well but no match for the champ in the clutch moments.
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH FEDERER - Federer with three match points thanks to another strong serve down the tee... and he repeats the dose and he beats Tomic in straight sets! Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer with an ace and its 15-0. Federer with an easy volley and its 30-0 Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK FEDERER - Federer with a good return and he breaks Tomic's resolve here with a forehand winner and he will serve for the match. Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the forehand volley and its break point Federer now. Finish line ever closer for the Swiss maestro. Tomic with another big running forehand and its deuce Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the forehand yet again and its back to deuce. Federer though just misses the backhand down the line and its game point for the Australian. Double fault though and its deuce yet again Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic long with the forehand and its 30 all. Tomic with an ace and its game point..... Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer's backhand return goes long and its 15-0 Tomic. 15 all now Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic wide with the backhand and its 15-0. Tomic long with the return and its 30-0 Federer as he also produces an ace to earn game point. Federer with another ace and he is racing to the finish line here. Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a clean backhand winner down the line and he holds well for 3-1 third set. Tomic 4 6 1 Federer 6 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer long with the forehand and its 15-30. Federer still moving extremely well for 31 years of age. Tomic with another strong serve and its game point for the aussie who was so close to winning that second set. Tomic long with the forehand and its 40-30 Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer with all the momentum now as Tomic is keen to get on the board in the third set. Federer with another great return and its 15 all Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer with another strong wide serve and he races to 3-0 in the third set and Tomic appears to have run his race here.... Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic wide with the backhand down the line and its 30-15 Federer who has had to produce his very best to get on top of Tomic tonight. Federer long with the forehand and its 40-30 Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the forehand and its 15-0. Federer long with the forehand though and its 15 all Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 2
Stevo
Guest
We're watching genius at work like ADP for SFC this afternoon.
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK FEDERER - Federer with a strong forehand return winner and that was all class and he then produces a ridiculous backhand passing shot again and Tomic can only look on in amazement. That's what it takes to defeat Tomic at home. Tomic 4 6 0 Federer 6 7 2