By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 17, 2019

 

Roger Federer soared past Taylor Fritz, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, setting up a blockbuster Australian Open fourth-round clash vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

Major elevation isn't easy when the world expects it.

Roger Federer continues unleashing uplifting efforts down under.

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Contesting his 100th career Melbourne match, the ageless Australian Open champion soared past Taylor Fritz, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, landing in the fourth round of a Slam for a record-extending 63rd time.

Anticipation, a fast first step and accurate serving propelled Federer, who cranked 10 aces, won 40 of 43 first-serve points and did not face a break point in a highly efficient 88-minute effort. 

Continuing his quest for his 100th career championship, Federer set up a blockbuster match with NextGen star Stefanos Tsitsipas. 

The 14th-seeded Tsitsipas defused hard-hitting Nikoloz Basilashvili,  6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, to make history as the first Greek man to reach the round of 16 at a major on multiple occasions.

"I am delighted, it was a tough match today," Tsitsipas said. "Conditions were different than the other days. I'm really, really happy I'm able to play good tennis, have such good fan support when I'm on the court. I feel so comfortable, I feel I'm playing at home, I've said it before. 

"It's exciting to have such a great atmosphere when I'm on the court, I never get to play with so many Greek people supporting me and Australians. It's great to have people who love tennis, it's one of the few Grand Slams that has this energy, this vibe." 

Contesting only his seventh Grand Slam tournament, the ultra-talented Tsitsipas advanced to his second Grand Slam fourth round following his run to the Wimbledon round of 16 last July. 

Federer is too focused on the now, but knows NextGen stars like Tsitsipas, ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, Karen Khachanov and Denis Shapovalov are coming on fast. 

"They're doing great what do you want me to tell you?" Federer told Hall of Famer Jim Courier afterward. "We all want them to win all the big stuff, but it just takes time. And there's a lot of good guys at the top, there's Novak not letting go, Rafa protecting the clay, I'm still giving them a hard time sometimes. 

"So it's not just easy to come through, but they're doing great."

The 21-year-old Fritz tested Federer to a decisive third set in in their lone prior meeting on the grass of the 2016 Stuttgart.

Eager for an explosive start in the rematch, Federer erupted for a 5-1 double-break lead in 15 minutes creating a commanding tone at the start.

"I think I wanted to get out of the blocks quickly because I knew of the threat of Taylor, of the possibilities on his serve," Federer told Jim Courier afterward. "And what he could do on the return, especially second serves, so I think I had extra focus today to make sure I really got off to a good start. And I did and the second set was tight, was tough, there was a few chances but he protected his serve well and then it was close at the end.

"We had some tough points, it was good fun and like you said I think I had a really good feeling out here today against someone who can definitely be very dangerous in the future."

Sliding his second ace, Federer closed a commanding set in 20 minutes.

Playing fast and firing with accuracy, Federer won 16 of 18 points played on his serve in the opening set.



For a set and a half, Fritz couldn't get a sniff on Federer's serve.

Landing his forehand with more impunity, Fritz made deeper inroads into Federer's serve in the eighth game of the second set.

In a crackling 25-shot rally, the Swiss was forced to defend at times but held his ground coaxing and error. Fritz soared for a smash but slapped it into net as Federer held firm through a deuce test for 4-all.

By then, the six-time champion had won 46 of 47 service games in the tournament with Briton Dan Evans accounting for the lone break.

Growing in confidence, Fritz flowed through love hold for 5-4.

The churning Federer forehand is deceptive because he can angle it anywhere and impart sidespin to make the ball jump away from his opponent.

A series of sharp twisting forehands from Federer forced the error as he broke for 6-5 at the one-hour mark.

Drilling successive aces that left the young American lunging at air, Federer sealed a two-set lead after 62 minutes.

The length and pace of rallies intensified in the third set. Fritz fended off a break point winning a physical 26-shot rally.

Mixing floating slice with forcing forehands, Federer scalded a forehand down the line leaving the lanky Californian stretched out to break for 2-1.

Though Fritz elevated his game after the opening set, Federer lifted his level to places the young American could not sustain.

A mischievous mix of spin and angle coaxed a second straight break as Federer extended to 4-1.