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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.
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.
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.
Updates
Fognini beats Thompson 7-6 6-1 3-6 4-6 7-6 (10-4)
What a ride it was. But at the end of the night, it is Fognini who comes out on top.
He was just that extra bit tougher in the fifth set breaker, taking it 10-4.
Thompson should be proud of his efforts though. That was probably the best match of his career. He can certainly build on that.
Six – six! Get ready. We are going all the way to a tiebreaker.
HERE WE GO!
More drama. With Fognini leading 40-15, he sends a simple forehand long and then cracks the next one into the net.
Thompson can’t capitalise though and the Italian eventually holds.
He will need to serve to stay in the match again.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There is no quit in Jordan Thompson.
He just saved multiple match points to keep this match going. And he did it in style. There were big serves and big forehands.
We are now locked at 5-5.
Check out the knuckles of Fabio Fognini. They were badly bruised because he did this exact thing in his opening round match.
He clearly hasn't learnt his lesson though. He continues to punch his racquet.
Meanwhile, his lead is now 5-4, with Thompson about to serve to stay in the match.
Another racquet copping abuse!😬
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 22, 2020
Now Fognini starting to crack in the fifth set with the match in the balance.
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/vGkZxwW9Wb#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/2rWihbPl5U
Jordan Thompson is refusing to back down here.
He is making Fognini fight for every single point, which is the last thing he wants to be doing after leading two sets to love.
He’s even survived a couple of nervous moments, falling behind 00-30 in his last service game.
This could go all the way to a tiebreak.
Thompson takes it to five
Those of you who have stayed up have been repaid handsomely.
Aussie Jordan Thompson is on top at Melbourne Park and has levelled up proceedings at two sets apiece with Fabio Fognini.
Knocking off the 12th seed from two sets down would be a massive scalp – and he has to be the favourite with all the momentum going into the fifth.
Could this really go the distance?
It looks like it will, with Jordan Thompson up a break on Fabio Fognini in the fourth set, leading 4-2.
The Italian has dropped off significantly since taking out the second set 6-1. And there is plenty of Aussie support spurring Thompson on.
Thompson breaks it interesting
Could this really go the distance?
It looks like it will, with Jordan Thompson up a break on Fabio Fognini in the fourth set, leading 4-2.
The Italian has dropped off significantly since taking out the second set 6-1. And there is plenty of Aussie support spurring Thompson on.