Australian Open: Roger Federer too strong for Marton Fucsovics

Roger Federer proved too strong for Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics yesterday.

Roger Federer serves to Marton Fucsovics during his straight-sets win in the fourth round at Melbourne Park yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

As the Australian Open reached the second week a year ago, there was scarcely a fan in the nation that did not have their fingers crossed for a decider between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Despite their brilliance, it was still viewed as an unlikely fairytale given their battered bodies, advancing years and the length of time elapsed since their respective most recent major title. But such was the pair’s dominance throughout 2017, it would be a surprise if at least one of the two most successful men in history did not feature this coming Sunday night.

Nadal has dropped just one set to date en route to the last eight, but his clash tonight against 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic is an intriguing one.

Federer yesterday took another step forward by proving too strong for 25-year-old Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

In a rare outing in daylight hours in Melbourne, the defending champion proved too poised in critical moments against his one-time practice partner, running out 6-4 7-6 (3) 6-2.

Almost every time Federer steps on to a court, he seems to set a record of sorts.

But the experience against Fucsovics yesterday was relatively unusual, for the 36-year-old also defeated the Hungarian’s coach Attila Savolt in the second round of the 2002 Australian Open.

It could be argued Federer did Savolt a favour yesterday, at least when it comes to one-upmanship, by denying his charge a set.

Fucsovics was competitive against Federer but never looked to have the upper hand, despite the opening two sets being tight.

To match Federer is one thing. Getting the better of him is altogether harder and yet again experience proved critical come the second set tiebreaker.

The ability to transition from the baseline to the net, in what seems one stride, is just one of Federer’s strengths. But it was evident on set point in the tiebreaker seized, once again, by a smash after his rival was forced to lob in desperation.

His next opponent Tomas Berdych is far more familiar, with the Czech enjoying some success against Federer in the past, including their opening outing.

“We have had some good ones over the years, going back all the way to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004,” Federer said. “I’m looking forward to play against him. He seems in good shape and I’m happy he’s over his back issues that he also had at the end of last year.”

After an injury-plagued 2017, the Czech veteran has returned to Melbourne in fine fettle and was a strong 6-1 6-4 6-4 winner against Fabio Fognini yesterday.

For the briefest of time, after topping Federer in the 2012 US Open and then in Dubai in 2013, Berdych might have believed he had the better of the 19-time grand slam winner.

But the Swiss champion has won their past eight clashes to extend his head-to-head advantage to 19-6 and Berdych delivered perhaps the understatement of the Open when declaring Federer a “tough opponent”.

“I’m definitely going to go out there, try my best, try to play good tennis, and believe in myself that I can do it,” Berdych said.

“I did it in the past, and also, I did it in the slams, so I know how it is to beat him for the best-of-five sets.”