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Rediff.com  » Sports » Federer beats Mirnyi in straight sets

Federer beats Mirnyi in straight sets

By Julian Linden
January 21, 2006 21:03 IST
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Switzerland's Roger Federer cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday with a clinical 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Max Mirnyi of Belarus.

The world number one produced another superb display of shot-making to seal victory in less than two hours and reach the last 16 without a dropping a set in the tournament.

Federer, an overwhelming favourite to win his second title at Melbourne Park, broke Mirnyi's serve once in each of the first two sets, then twice in the third set while facing just one break point on his own service.

"I haven't lost a set and I'm through to the fourth round once again," he said in a courtside interview.

"I haven't got any injuries, I'm playing good tennis and I'm happy so it's all good."

Federer will play Tommy Haas on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals after the in-form German defeated Australian wildcard Peter Luczak 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 earlier in the day.

Haas beat Federer in a thrilling five-set match in the fourth round of the 2002 Australian Open and again at an exhibition tournament last week and the Swiss master said he was looking forward to their next clash.

"I've had some difficulties with him in the past," he told a news conference. "But I'm looking toward to that match because that's going to be a different.

"It looks like it's going to be a walk in the park, but it's definitely not going to be that.

"Players change, they adapt, they try other things, like this match tonight.

"I thought that was a dangerous match but I got through it quite comfortably. I hope I can keep it up."

Federer seized control of the opening set against Mirnyi when he broke for the first time when the Belarussian volleyed wide. He took the set after 25 minutes off a Mirnyi backhand mistake.

Mirnyi was under intense pressure to hold his serve in each game in the second set. He saved six break points in the fifth game but lost his next service game on a double fault.

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Federer won the second set in 49 minutes when he crunched a forehand winner from the back of the court then broke Mirnyi at the start of the third set with a missed volley.

The top seed finished him off by breaking him again in the final game of the match, sealing the result with a perfect crosscourt forehand return.

"I thought it was a good performance because you don't get many opportunities and when you get them you have to take them, and that's what I did," Federer said.

"I do get moments in the course of the match where I feel unbeatable, but not from the start, that's for sure.

"Dangerous players are always around in a draw like this. I cannot take anybody lightly. I've got to focus on playing well and keeping playing good tennis. So far I've been able to do that.

"I really thought the last matches I played were really tough and really good, never had any letdowns. For this reason, I'm very pleased."
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Julian Linden
Source: REUTERS
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