Roger Federer beats Marton Fucsovics, praises Aussie Nick Kyrgios

ROGER Federer used actions — rather than words — to ridicule notions of preferential Australian Open treatment and also found time for some kind words for “unbelievable” Nick Kyrgios.

Roger Federer was all business on Rod Laver Arena today. Picture: AFP

ROGER Federer used actions — rather than words — to ridicule notions of preferential Australian Open treatment with a characteristically majestic charge into the Melbourne Park quarter-finals.

The centre of debate because of he had not contested a match in daylight until the fourth-round, Federer proved he remains just as effective in daylight as under artificial lighting.

Federer’s untroubled 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 victory over unseeded Marton Fucsovics extended his unbeaten streak at Melbourne Park to 11 matches — and triggered another chapter of records.

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Roger Federer was all business on Rod Laver Arena today. Picture: AFP

This was Federer’s 91st victory from 104 Australian Open matches, tying his Wimbledon record for the most number of grand slam wins at a major venue.

At 36 years, 173 days, Federer is the oldest man to reach the Open quarter-finals since Ken Rosewall, who was 43 years and 59 days, in 1977.

And he is the oldest man to reach a grand slam quarter since Jimmy Connors, who was 39 years and six days, at the 1991 US Open.

Federer joked about needing sunscreen and a beach towel after plundering world No 80 Fucsovics with 34 winners and six aces in a measured performance.

Asked about the specifics in differences between night and day at Melbourne Park, Federer said: “That there is a difference. That’s basically it.

“You might get a bit more wind in the daytime. Usually in the evening it always slows down. And then here in Australia, actually, between maybe 11:30 and 1:30 there is a tough spot in the sun when you’re serving.

Federer was all class and typically too hot to handle.

“More so than anywhere else in the world, to be honest.

“It flies a bit more in the daytime, just because it’s warmer. Yeah, that’s it.”

Federer is unlikely to play another match in daylight given the nature of the tournament schedule ahead of Sunday night’s final.

He was delighted to overcome Fucsovics, a training partner in Switzerland.

“Well, because I practised with him for a few days in a row in Switzerland,” he said.

“That helped, knowing his strength and weaknesses a little bit. He was not completely the unknown opponent that maybe people thought he was.

“The goal for me was really trying to be focused on my own game and take it to him and play tough.

“But he hung with me for a long time. So it was a good match.”

Federer appears to be a big fan of our Nick Kyrgios.

Federer revealed he spent Sunday night watching Nick Kyrgios, describing the Australian’s serving as “unbelievable”

“It was a tough match, and, sure, we can expect more,” Federer said.

“But, now we’ll see what happens. Davis Cup is next for him, so, yeah. It’s not one match or one week. It’s every week of the year.

“I’m excited to see what’s next for Nick now.”

Quizzed about Kyrgios’s coaching situation, Federer said: “I think at one point it’s good to have coaches, to be honest, because they remind you day by day, the little things if that’s what you’re looking at.

“Other guys do an entire organisation for you. Some guys are really there to inspire you and motivate you.

“Everybody needs different type of coaching. That can come from any angle. Doesn’t almost necessarily need to be a tennis coach, per se.

“But I’m sure Nick has got some people in his team that where he gets what he needs for the matches to be honest.”

‘Congratulations mate, you had a go, but I’m the king here.’

Yet to drop a set at the Open, Federer will face 19th seed Tomas Berdych for a semi-final berth after the Czech downed Italian Fabio Fognini 6-1 6-4 6-4.

The world No 2 holds a commanding 19-6 record over Berdych.

Federer grinned about the soaring lob he lofted high through the roof space above Rod Laver Arena in desperation — only to win the point.

“Oh, this one was the biggest joke of a point maybe I have ever played,” he said.

“I did some good defence after that, but, yeah, normally you don’t get that lucky.

“Thankfully it didn’t decide the outcome of that second set. That would have been too much of a joke, to be honest.

Fucsovics, 25, is the first Hungarian man to forge as deep at a major since Balazs Taroczy at the 1984 French Open.

Beaten in first-round qualifying here last year, Fucsovics had never previously won three successive main draw events at tour or grand slam level previously.

His last event was at the secondary Challenger level, falling to Italian Andreas Seppi in the Canberra final.

Marton Fucsovics can hold his head high.