Cool Federer sweeps into second round
MELBOURNE: Ageless Roger Federer warmed up for a run at a record seventh Australian Open title on Monday by breezing past Uzbek Denis Istomin to book a spot in the second round.
The 37-year-old Swiss master made light of his assignment on Rod Laver Arena, wrapping up the match 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 as he confidently began his title defence.
Federer has won the last two tournaments at Melbourne Park in a late career resurgence and is now angling for a 21st major victory.
His achievements so far put him on a par with other six-time winners Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson — although the Australian great’s victories all came before the Open era.
“It’s disbelief really that I’m the double defending champion at my age,” he said, adding that it was a “fairytale challenge” to be going for another one.
“I’m going to try everything possible (to win again) and leave it all on the court. I will give it everything I’ve got.”
Federer came into the tournament in a buoyant mood after teaming with fellow Swiss Belinda Bencic to win a second succesive mixed teams Hopman Cup title in Perth this month.
Istomin caused a massive upset in Melbourne two years ago when he knocked out defending champion Novak Djokovic in the second round, but was no match for the Swiss great.
The writing was on the wall with Federer winning all six of their previous meetings.
“It was great to be back here, I was brought some good energy and played some good shots,” said third seed Federer. The world number three next plays Britain’s Daniel Evans, who battled past Japan’s Tatsuma Ito in three sets. — AFP I Murray dug deep and had the crowd on their feet after a winner down the line at the end of long rally to break back.
“Right, let’s go,” Murray shouted and held to love with an searing ace to nudge ahead 3-2 and bring another mighty roar from the crowd.
Murray forced a tiebreak and was never behind, securing it 7-5 with a scream of “come on” and a huge fist pump.
Suddenly the comeback was on.
The fourth set went with serve and Murray again prevailed in a tie-break on the fourth of his five set points — but not before being interrupted as he served to stay in the match at 5-6 by fireworks going off at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Once Bautista Agut broke in the fifth, Murray’s resolve finally crumbled and the Spaniard took it 6-2. He will face unseeded Australian John Millman in the second round.