Roger Federer is full steam ahead as he continues his quest for an unprecedented 18th Grand Slam title and fifth at the Australian Open. Tested immediately with back-to-back Top 10 clashes in the third and fourth rounds, Federer has emerged unscathed and looks to be rounding into his top form just in time for the business end of the tournament.
Despite enduring a five-set, three-hour clash with World No. 5 Kei Nishikori, the Swiss believes he is rediscovering his rhythm after ending his 2016 campaign in July due to a knee injury.
"I was playing way better than the first couple of rounds where I put in a lot of mental energy to stay with my opponents, figure them out, how were they going to play, how were the conditions going to be and trying to understand the comeback really," Federer said following a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Nishikori on Sunday.
"I think now that I'm in the tournament, I was able to focus point per point on my opponent, on the tactics. That didn't drain me much. I felt great in the fifth set, which I'm very happy about.
"[I had] great energy. Even deep into the fourth I thought, 'here we go', no problem for me. I'm feeling good about my chances. I was playing positive tennis. I was playing offensive. My body was reacting."
[ALSO LIKE]
The 17th seed next faces one of the big surprises of the tournament, unseeded Mischa Zverev. When the draw was first released, Melbourne Park was abuzz with talk of a potential blockbuster quarter-final clash between Federer and World No. 1 Andy Murray. But Zverev had other plans on Sunday, stunning Murray and booking a date against the four-time champion.
Federer admits that facing a red-hot Zverev will pose its own unique challenges. The German's net-crashing serve-and-volley style is a stark contrast to Murray's backhand-oriented baseline style. Different opponents, different strategies, but Federer will be ready regardless.
"It's going to be completely different to the last couple [of matches]," Federer added. "It's probably going to be more similar to Melzer in the first round, which is good that I played him. I have a lefty in me this tournament already. Tomorrow I'm going to practice with a lefty as well, just to get ready for that.
"I've played him a couple times before, once on grass, once on clay, never on hard courts. Obviously he's on a high right now. He's feeling great. Probably feels the best he's ever felt on a tennis court. That's how I would feel after the win today against Murray."
Federer Claims 200th Top 10 Win
With the top two seeds both failing to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2004 Roland Garros, when Federer and Andy Roddick suffered shock exits, the Swiss benefits greatly. Murray and Novak Djokovic, two of his biggest rivals and often biggest roadblocks to lifting major trophies in recent years, have departed Melbourne Park. Federer says he was surprised by their early exits, but knows well that there are no easy matches at this stage of a Grand Slam.
"That Novak and Andy are not here, that is a big surprise. I never thought that Mischa Zverev and Denis Istomin would beat those two big guys. It's good for tennis that a lot of guys believe now that the top guys are beatable, are vulnerable, especially on a faster court. It happened completely in different circumstances. But two huge surprises. No doubt about that.
"It's going to be tough and different and tricky regardless. That's my mindset."