If Roger Federer plays even half as well as he did against crafty Marat Safin he will have no trouble duplicating his incredible run of 2007 where he captured the Aussie Open title without dropping a single set.
Swiss precision was alive from the very beginning with Roger holding his first 3 services games at love and then promptly broke Safin at love to go up 5-3 with a perfect backhand slice to set up a forehand winner. Federer went on to hold with four strong serves to capture the first set. Marat, clearly irritated, held back the need to slam a few racquets and flaunt his usual range of emotions - though he struggled to find any ground on the court. Federer, astutely sensing Safin' trouble gaining rhythm, floated balls into his opponent's court; spinning, slicing and slowing the pace for every potential rally.
The second set started similarly with Safin hitting hard but erratic and Federer directing shots on his own terms. He broke the big Russian at 2-all after bringing Safin into the net and passing him with a terrific cross court winner. For security Roger was able to break again at 5-2 and had a commanding 2 sets to love lead in one hour flat.
Safin finally found his game thereafter and both served beautifully with neither even facing a break point. The tiebreak arrived and though each man was able to string together consecutive points and mini-breaks, it was Roger who took the last serve to claim the 4th round spot.
Every one of Federer's shots was executed to perfection and it seems unlikely that, in this form, any fellow deserves to even step on the court with him. Andy Murray will have to put on a tremendous display against Austrian veteran Jurgen Melzer to remain the bookies' favourite.
Swiss precision was alive from the very beginning with Roger holding his first 3 services games at love and then promptly broke Safin at love to go up 5-3 with a perfect backhand slice to set up a forehand winner. Federer went on to hold with four strong serves to capture the first set. Marat, clearly irritated, held back the need to slam a few racquets and flaunt his usual range of emotions - though he struggled to find any ground on the court. Federer, astutely sensing Safin' trouble gaining rhythm, floated balls into his opponent's court; spinning, slicing and slowing the pace for every potential rally.
The second set started similarly with Safin hitting hard but erratic and Federer directing shots on his own terms. He broke the big Russian at 2-all after bringing Safin into the net and passing him with a terrific cross court winner. For security Roger was able to break again at 5-2 and had a commanding 2 sets to love lead in one hour flat.
Safin finally found his game thereafter and both served beautifully with neither even facing a break point. The tiebreak arrived and though each man was able to string together consecutive points and mini-breaks, it was Roger who took the last serve to claim the 4th round spot.
Every one of Federer's shots was executed to perfection and it seems unlikely that, in this form, any fellow deserves to even step on the court with him. Andy Murray will have to put on a tremendous display against Austrian veteran Jurgen Melzer to remain the bookies' favourite.
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