Roger Federer will be hoping to build momentum when he takes on Czech Tomas Berdych in the third round of the Australian Open. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from around 8:30pm (AEDT).
In his first competitive tournament since suffering a knee injury in the aftermath of Wimbledon six months ago, 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer looked shaky in his opening two matches.
The Swiss veteran reached the third round after dropping the second set against Jurgen Melzer, before defeating American Noah Rubin in straight sets after rallying from a break down in the third.
Unlike the qualifiers though, Berdych is a more intimidating prospect.
The 31-year-old is in a physically superior position, having played just the one set in his first round match before Luca Vanni withdrew, before cruising past Ryan Harrison in straight sets in his other outing.
This clash, on Rod Laver Arena, is a replay of last year’s quarter-final, in which Federer prevailed 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.
It will mark the 23rd time the pair have met, with the Swiss maestro holding a head-to-head lead of 16-6. The pressure will also be on Berdych to break his duck against four-time Australian Open champion, having lost all three matches against Federer in the tournament so far.
Nevertheless, the former world No.1 is aware that he will need to lift his game and admits the tall Czech has served up problems in the past.
“Well, I know I’ve got to lift my game a little bit,” Federer said. “He’s caused difficulties for me in the past on faster courts: Cincinnati, New York, Wimbledon, Olympics in Athens. I know what he’s got.”
Prediction
Despite his class, and superior head-to-head record, progression may be too much to ask for a man still finding his form.
Berdych to claim victory in five sets.
anon
Roar Pro
Except that Murray hasn't beaten Federer in the last four years, and Federer is playing as well and as aggressively as we've seen in recent years. Murray at his peak has been an over-the-hill Federer's pigeon. People are saying Federer can beat anyone in this form.
Andy
Guest
Federer will have more problem against the number 1 player in the world than the number 10 guy! Brilliant observation.
anon
Roar Pro
Berdych is a mental pygmy whenever he plays Federer (or any top 10 player) these days. It starts getting much tougher for Federer. Berdych has poor movement, poor defensive skills. Federer looked awesome, but a good defensive player like Murray will force Federer to work for points. This will greatly increase Federer's number of errors since he's been playing so aggressively in order to finish points quickly. Federer's movement is a little suspect, hence trying to finish point early. I'm not sure the fitness is there either. If he gets in a 5 setter with Nishikori I don't think he'll come up well for the following match. The other thing is that the semis and final are played at night. Despite the dominant performance against Berdych, Federer does play his best AO tennis in the much higher day time temperatures when the ball is quicker and gets more cheap points. The cooler temperatures at night will slow it down and should help the defensive players further -- although Nadal prefers the day time because at night his heavy forehand bounces lower and is less effective.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
I wouldn't put it past him. Really hitting his stride now and I seriously think there's more to come. Having said that Nishikori is tough to beat on any given day.
Maggie
Guest
wow! that was amazing! Hope Federer doesn't have a letdown for the next round. If he can maintain that standard we are in for further fantastic matches,
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
I'll be the first to admit that I got this completely wrong. An absolute masterclass sets up a fourth round match with Nishikori.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 6-4 Berdych: GAME, SET, MATCH FEDERER! The Swiss maestro cruised to 40-0 love with a spectacular passing shot, and easy winner and an ace before finishing the match in 1hr and 30 minutes with a backhand winner.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 5-4 Berdych: Berdych keeps himself alive for now. The Czech went to a 40-0 lead with back-to-back aces before a series of unforced errors including a double fault, sees Federer pull it back to a deuce. He served up a clutch ace upon review before a double fault took the game back to another deuce. He eventually finished the game with an ace out wide.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 5-3 Berdych: Federer quickly cruises to 40-0 with a cross-court forehand winner and a classy drop volley before a Berdych error gives Federer a 5-3 lead in the third set.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer has this one. What a cracking fourth round that's going to be against Nishikori.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 4-3 Berdych: Berdych seems unfazed by a spectacular passing shot from Fed in the first point, volleying past an in-form Federer twice.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 4-2 Berdych: Federer goes to a 4-2 lead after holding to love, keeping Berdych off balance for much of the game before finishing with a cross-court backhand winner.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 3-2 Berdych: Two well directed first serves and an ace brings Berdych quickly to 40-0 and despite a mishit, quickly serves out the game to keep pace with Federer.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 3-1 Berdych: The Czech star began where he left off, playing an inch-perfect forehand down the line off a second serve before an ace brought Fed level. A forehand error saw Berdych go up 15-30, but could do little as Fed fired a forehand winner, and an ace to take a 3-1 lead in the third set.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 2-1 Berdych: Berdych lifts a bit of pressure off and holds to love, forcing errors off the racquet of Fed with a few first serves before finishing off the game with back-to-back aces.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 2-0 Berdych: After a shaky forehand in the first point, Fed races to a 40-15 lead with an inside-out forehand, a volley down the line and a serve out wide to consolidate the break. Berdych in real trouble now. This is an absolute masterclass from the GOAT himself.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 1-0 Berdych: Berdych serve another ace after doing down 0-15 before following up that effort with his first double fault of the match. The Czech then served his sixth ace of the match before Fed flicks a backhand down the line off a 207km/h first serve to bring up a break point. And the Swiss maestro breaks yet again with a backhand down-the-line after dominating the rally yet again.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 6-4 Berdych: Fed goes to 15-0 with a spectacular volley off a dipping passing shot before missing a simple volley a point later. The 17th seed quickly brings out two set points and takes a two sets to love lead after 57 minutes of play with Berdych chipping a return long off a serve down the middle.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 5-4 Berdych: Serving to stay in the match, Berdych misses a simple volley but draws level to 15-15 after wrong footing the Swiss off the serve before putting away a smash. The Czech then forces Fed into an error with the volley with drawing an unforced error off the serve to take out the game. Fed to serve for the set.
Cronan Yu
Roar Pro
Federer 6-2 5-3 Berdych: Fed eases to a 5-3 lead with a love hold. Commences the game with an ace before a few unforced errors and a winner at 30-0 gift the Swiss ace the game.