Federer reaches milestone, Djokovic, Williams advance
January 22, 2016
Federer took his 300th Grand Slam win by beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-4,3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Friday, to move on to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
"It's very exciting, I must tell you," the 34-year-old Swiss national said of his latest record.
"Not something I ever aimed for or looked for, but when it happens, it's very special," added the four-time Australian Open champion, who is looking to win his first major since Wimbledon in 2012.
Title-holders through
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic beat 29th-ranked Andreas Seppi in straight sets 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (6) to keep alive his hopes of defending his Australian Open title, but afterwards he admitted that the Italian had made things difficult for him.
Seppi "is not overwhelmed by the occasion of the big courts, he knows how to play the big stage. He beat Federer last year here in the Australian Open, so he knows how to play big matches," Djokovic said. "He's very dangerous. I'm just glad to get through in straight sets."
On the women's side, title-holder Serena Williams made short work of the young Russian Daria Kasakina taking the match 6-1, 6-1 in just 45 minutes.
The woman Williams beat in last year's final, Maria Sharapova, used a quick change of clothing after losing the second set to spark a comeback as she beat Lauren Davis of the 6-1, 6-7 (5-7) 6-0 to advance - in what was her 600th win on the Tour.
"I changed my dress and felt a little bit lighter which made me move better. But other than that, that's all I can share," the Russian said when asked about the comeback.
German women march on
Also on the women's side, the Germans continued their surprising run, with World No. 82 Anna-Lena Friedsam beating last year's US Open finalist Roberta Vinci (No. 13) 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16.
"It's unbelieveable," said the 21-year-old Friedsam afterwards, before explaining that after having been crushed in the first set, she realized that she had nothing to lose and simply went for it.
Friedsam's success means that at least two German women will be in the round of 16, as Annika Beck and Laura Siegemund face each other on Saturday. The top-ranked Angelique Kerber (6), will make it three if she beats Madison Brengle of the United States. This would be the first time that three German women have made it to the fourth round of the tournament since 1988.
pfd/jh (Reuters, AP, dpa, SID)