The road to glory for Roger Federer’s third successive Australian Open title and 100th career title is still on track after defeating Britain’s Dan Evans in three sets.
Federer is yet to drop a set in the tournament and fired 56 winners, including 11 aces against world #192 Evans in overcast Melbourne conditions. The Fed Express registered his 96th win in the tournament from 109 appearances.
The third seed will now play American Taylor Fritz in the round of 32 after the talented youngster defeated French 30th seed Gael Monfils in four sets.
Rafael Nadal easily accounted for Australian Matt Ebden in straight sets to advance, while there were two great games played between Roberto Bautista Agut and John Millman, along with Alex De Minaur and Henri Laaksonen. Bautista won his game in five sets while De Minaur also took five sets to win a thrilling encounter.
The upset of the day was American Frances Tiafoe defeating fifth seed Kevin Anderson in the bottom half of the draw. The four set win was the biggest of Tiafoe’s career, Tiafoe has been touted as a future star.
Tiafoe will play Italy’s Andreas Seppi on the eve of his 21st birthday. Seppi defeated Australian Jordan Thompson to advance in the tournament. Already through to the third round are the likes of Marin Cilic, Fernando Verdasco, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nikoloz Basilashvili, Tomas Berdych and Diego Schwartzman
Some of the fancied players still to play their matches in the round of 64 include Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, Alexander Zverev. The highlight of tomorrow night will be the match between Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Over to the Women’s tournament and it has been smooth sailing thus far for fancied players Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Sloane Stephens, Angelique Kerber and Ash Barty.
The favourite leading into the tournament, Serena Williams, will face Canadian Genie Bouchard tomorrow, along with top seed Simona Halep who will do battle with Sofia Kenin.
