Australian Open 2020: Roger Federer races through second round, sets up John Millman clash

Forget the score, Roger Federer’s second round victory was all about the speed. And after three days of action at Melbourne Park, it is clear the Swiss star is the fastest man out of the blocks. 

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Maybe it was the prospect of facing Australia’s John Millman next – a Friday night blockbuster on Rod Laver Arena surely – that propelled Roger Federer through his second round encounter with Serbia’s Filip Krajovinic.

Forget the score, 6-1, 6-4, 6-1, it was all about the speed, Fed underneath the lights is most times simply irrepressible. The points, in the Swiss mind, were there to be packed away as quickly and efficiently as possible as Krajinovic will testify. The Serb had won just one set in their three head to heads to-date and, on this form by Fed, will have been mystified how he won even that.

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Rafael Nadal was quickest out of the blocks last year dominating the first 10 days but Federer has that honour in 2020. He is all about getting the job done, there were few extended rallies and the Swiss, clad in shades of purple, looked as crisp when he left the court as when he stepped onto it.

The first two sets were done in just 59 minutes and this on a slow court against a 27-year-old ranked 41 who did not play badly, particularly on serve, and cracked his racquet in understandable frustration late in the second set.

Any future opponent reviewing Fed’s matches would be advised not to dwell on that. Think too deeply about the great champion and defeat follows without exception.

Krajinovic, in contrast to Federer, was far from fresh when he came out, winning his first round five setter only a day earlier, his courtside medical attention after two sets seemingly for fatigue as much as anything.

Roger Federer is through to the third round of the Australian Open. Picture: AAP Images

Fed though carried on unruffled, the crowd wholly appreciative and that it was no contest did not matter a jot.

Federer, famously if you’re Australian, lost to Millman in four sets in an unbearably humid New York at the US Open in 2018. Neither man will look into that match unduly but for the neutral it promises much.

“He (Millman) is a super good guy, an unbelievably tough opponent. There are not many guys who are fitter out there. These are the guys I respect the most," Federer said.

With the weather we have had this summer, who knows what conditions Friday will bring and how they will impact. But whatever you do, do not miss it.

The sporting moment of January 2020? Quite possibly.

 

Originally published as Australian Open 2020: Roger Federer races through second round, sets up John Millman clash