Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic reached the fourth round of the Australian Open with straight-sets victories on Saturday.
Federer claimed a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet to stay on track for a 20th Grand Slam title.
‘I was able to maybe stay a little bit more on the offensive, protecting my serve a little bit better,’ said Federer. ‘The match was close and the end could have gone to a tiebreak and then you never know. Richard played well and me too, I’m just happy to win tonight.’
The Swiss legend will next face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics for a place in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic appeared to strain a muscle in his lower back but was still able to beat Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
The Serbian had to take a medical time-out when he was leading 2-1 in the second set, during which his trainer worked on his back.
‘I knew I wanted to use the medical time-out because I needed it, but at the same time I knew it was nothing major that can potentially raise the question mark of whether I can continue playing or not,’ explained Djokovic, who will face South Korea’s Chung Hyeon in the fourth round.
Czech Tomas Berdych overpowered Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro to win 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Berdych struck 52 winners on his way to setting up a clash with Italian Fabio Fognini.
In the women’s singles, Germany’s Angelique Kerber cruised past Russian Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in a match between the only two Grand Slam winners left in the draw.
Kerber broke Sharapova’s serve in the opening game, which set the tone for the match.
World No 1 Simona Halep saved three match points to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 15-13 win against American Lauren Davis in a gruelling three hours and 44 minutes.
‘I’m almost dead,’ the Romanian said afterwards. ‘The feeling in my muscles is gone and I don’t feel my ankle anymore.’
