AUSTRALIAN OPEN: FEDERER EASES INTO THIRD ROUND

http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=122445 Federer, chasing an 18th major title in Melbourne, needed a fraction under two hours to beat Davydenko and was quick to warn the Australian that he was probably fitter than 10 years ago.

'I'm much more experienced today. I know what I can expect from myself in terms of my level of play early on,' the second seed said.

'I'm much stronger today physically clearly so I can always rely on that as well, extend the rallies, so don't have to be worried about that.'

Federer will continue his bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and fifth at Melbourne Park against Australia's Bernard Tomic.

The 31-year-old Federer was a paragon of Swiss neutrality as he looked ahead to the match, but was goaded into reminding the plucky 20-year-old of the gulf between the players.

'Look, I have so much more experience than him,' Federer said, when asked to clarify comments about aiming to dominate Tomic physically.

'Last year I reached my thousandth match on tour. That's what I meant. I know how hard a five-setter can be. I know how intense a night session can be and all these things.

'Whatever that means, length of rally, length of match, intensity, I've been there. That could potentially help me, but it could also not help me.

'We'll see how it goes. But he's done a really nice job today, for instance, in the heat.'

Despite Federer's words Tomic blew seven match points in his clash with Germany's Daniel Brands but sealed a hard-fought 6-7 7-5 7-6 7-6 victory on the eighth to become the host nation's last player standing.

…Serena Continues Dominant Run
Third seed Williams did her best to keep her time on court to a minimum as she swept aside Garbine Muguruza 6-2 6-0.

Victoria Azarenka may be the defending champion and world number one but Williams is odds-on favourite to capture a 16th Grand Slam title and a sixth in Australia next week.

The Belarussian proceeded easily enough with a 6-1 6-0 thrashing of Eleni Daniilidou but any hopes she had that Williams, against whom she has a 1-11 record, might be hampered by the ankle she injured on Tuesday were quickly dashed.

Williams split her lip with her own racket during the first set against her lowly-ranked opponent, but was barely troubled thereafter and set up a meeting with Japan's Ayumi Morita with her 10th ace of the match.

'I didn't feel anything today,' the 31-year-old said of the ankle injury. 'Obviously when you go out to play you're heavy on adrenaline and you're really pumped up.

'Usually I feel injuries after the match, but so far, so good. I felt much better than I ever dreamed of expecting to feel.

'I'm on the up and up. It can only get better from here.'