Roger Federer took another successful step in his highly-celebrated comeback on Wednesday at the Australian Open. The Swiss star prevailed past 20-year-old American Noah Rubin 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) to reach the third round for the 18th consecutive year, every time Federer has played at Melbourne Park.
“It was a difficult first set [and a] tricky third set, of course,” said Federer. “I had to save a couple of set points. I know it could have gone different. I think I was a bit more consistent than in the first match against [Jurgen] Melzer, where I ended up losing that second set after leading. I think I had a little bit better concentration. I didn't know much about Noah Rubin going in except the info I got from my coaches. I was prepared [and] I was ready to battle. I was able to get the win, so I'm very happy.”
The Swiss star hit 17 aces and won 82 per cent of his first-serve points. Federer had to work in the third set, though. He fell behind 2-5 against the 5'10” American, who failed to convert two set point chances on Federer's serve in the eighth game.
Federer faces a familiar foe in the third round: 10th seed Tomas Berdych, who beat American Ryan Harrison 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-2 in just over two hours. Federer leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 16-6, which includes a straight-set quarter-final victory at last year's Australian Open.
“I know I've got to lift my game a little bit,” said Federer, who has won his past five matches against Berdych. “But then again, I haven't seen Tomas play a lot, to be honest. I didn't see anything, basically. Let's put it that way. He was playing at the same time now. I’ve just got to play on my terms and really be focused on my own service games to make sure I don't have any lapses there.”
[ALSO LIKE]