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By Chris Oddo | Wednesday January 18, 2017

Roger Federer reached the third round of the Australian Open for the 18th consecutive year with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over American Noah Rubin on Wednesday in Melbourne, setting up a third-round encounter with Czech Tomas Berdych.

More: Kerber Celebrates Birthday with Tough Three-Set Win

Federer was good today against the inexperienced World No. 200 from Long Island, but he’ll have to be much better from here on in.

Federer had to rally from 2-5 down in the third set and save a few set points, and he was extremely pleased that he was able to dig himself out of trouble and claim a victory in straight sets.

“I think I was a bit more consistent than in the first match against Melzer, where I ended up losing that second set after leading,” Federer said. “I think I had a little bit better concentration.

“I didn't know much about Noah Rubin going in except the info I got from my coaches. I was prepared. I was ready to battle. I was able to get the win, so I'm very happy.”

Federer’s movement hasn’t looked as flawless as we’re used to seeing, and that part of his game should be tested against the hard-hitting Berdych on Friday, and he’s aware that he’ll need to take another step in his comeback if he plans to advance.

“I know I've got to lift my game a little bit,” he said.

Berdych eased past American Ryan Harrison, 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-2, to set up a rematch of last year’s Australian Open quarterfinals which was won by Federer in three sets.

“He's caused difficulties for me in the past on faster courts: Cincinnati, New York, Wimbledon, Olympics in Athens,” Federer said. “Then again, I've played him here, played him on many occasions, as well, when it went my way. I just got to play on my terms and really be focused on my own service games to make sure I don't have any lapses there.”

Federer hit 17 aces against Rubin and saved five of six break points. He won 82 percent of first-serve points and 56 percent of second-serve points.


The windows will be a lot smaller against Berdych, who hit 15 aces and won 90 percent of his first-serve points against Harrison.

Regardless of the result, Federer is upbeat about his situation. After being off the tour for a half year, he’s happy to be back in the game, competing for the big prizes.

“If I could have signed this to be in the third round, feeling this way, weeks or days or a month ago, I would have taken it.” He added: “I'm still hoping to feel better and better and better as we go along. But it's really important for me to get through those first early rounds, get a sense of how is the game, how is the ball, how is the body, how is everything. I'm getting tons of information out of these last few days now, which is big hopefully for the third round.”

 

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