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By Chris Oddo | Friday January 20, 2017

 
Federer

Roger Federer sparkled in a 90-minute takedown of Tomas Berdych on Friday night in Melbourne.

Photo Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Playing in a third tour-level match (and first event) since returning from a six-month injury hiatus is no small task. And yet, Roger Federer is making it look easy in Melbourne.

Catch up with everything that's happened on Day 5  in the Live Blog

The 35-year-old Federer displayed mid-season form in drubbing rival Tomas Berdych in the final night session match on Friday on Rod Laver Arena, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4, in 90 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be a tough third round—if I got there—and I couldn’t be happier honestly,” Federer said on court after the match. “It’s been unbelievable and I did surprise myself.”

The rout was on from the start as Federer raced out of the gates after a four-game feeling out session, reeling off six consecutive games to lead by a set and 2-0.

“Have you ever seen anyone in the history of tennis that make it look so effortless,” chimed awestruck John McEnroe from the ESPN commentary booth.


If there was time to breathe for Berdych there wasn’t much. The match moved at a frantic pace, and Federer’s form never dipped. When it was all said and done Federer had struck 40 winners against 17 unforced errors, and he didn’t face a single break point.

Berdych stayed within a game in the second and third sets, but he made zero inroads against Federer’s serve.

The Czech owns six career victories over Federer, two of them at Grand Slams, but on this night Federer was simply untouchable. With Federer serving for the match, Berdych rushed the net on the first point in a last-ditch attempt to gain some momentum and Federer promptly tattooed a one-handed backhand crosscourt that basically said: “No, no, not tonight, Tomas.”

Statement made.

Federer held at 15 with a backhand winner as the Friday faithful cheered, not sure whether to be upset that it was over so fast or thrilled that that Federer had successfully turned back the clock and announced himself as a legitimate contender to win this title.

Federer will face Kei Nishikori in the round of 16. The Swiss owns a 4-2 edge over Nishikori and he has won the last three. 

 

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