By Chris Oddo | Monday, January 18, 2016
Roger Federer opened his 2016 Australian Open with a command performance on Day 1.
Photo Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty
Roger Federer moved within two matches of his 300th career Grand Slam win with a command performance on Monday in Melbourne. The Swiss maestro, playing in his 65th consecutive major, rolled past Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, to book his spot in the second round where he’ll meet Alexandr Dolgopolov.
“That was a good match,” Federer said. “I'm really pleased how I was able to play. Definitely gives me a bit of a lift in confidence, you know, because this year I haven't been able to play properly yet. I mean, I had some decent matches in Brisbane, but it was all under, you know, sort of a cloud knowing that I wasn't 100%.”
He improved his career record at the Grand Slams to 298-49, while stretching his Australian Open record to 76-12.
It was all Federer from the onset, though he did give a break back to the 23-year-old after moving ahead a double-break in the first set. But Federer would only drop one first-serve point in the final two sets (three overall in the match) as he finished off his record 76th Australian Open victory in 72 minutes.
Federer struck 31 errors against 20 unforced, and converted eight of 14 break points.
Federer says that he’s expecting a much tougher challenge from his second-round opponent, whom he practiced with a bit during the off-season.
“I think it's going to be very tough, to be honest,” he said. “I've practiced with Dolgopolov in the off-season in Dubai. Had some great practice sessions together there, this year and last year. I know him very well. This is going to be a different challenge than the first round. This was more of an unexperienced player today, but still dangerous and still a good player. But Dolgopolov is a different player, a different level. He's been there before. He's got the fitness, the power, the speed, tennis IQ, all that. It's going to be a big challenge.”