By Erik Gudris | Friday, January 22, 2016
Roger Federer withstood an aggressive game plan by Grigor Dimitrov to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Roger Federer finds himself back in the fourth round of the Australian Open along with adding yet another piece of history to his storied career.
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The No. 3 seed Federer withstood a spirited game plan by No. 27 seed Grigor Dimitrov to reach the last sixteen of the first Grand Slam. It’s now Federer’s 300th Grand Slam match win - making him the first man in the Open Era to achieve such a feat.
Federer entered the match having beaten Dimitrov in their last four meetings, including earlier this month in Brisbane. But even with the roof closed over Rod Laver Arena giving Federer an ideal indoor court to suit his game, Dimitrov proved up for the challenge.
Early on, Federer did everything just a little bit better than his opponent from both the baseline and up at net. With Dimitrov struggling to hold serve and fight off break points, Federer pounced midway through the first set. Ripping a down the line backhand winner, Federer created another break point. He converted with a potent forehand approach to take a 4-3 lead.
Federer struck an ace to seal the first set 6-4.
Dimitrov picked up his own intensity in the second set. Hitting with more pace on his groundstrokes and returns allowed Dimitrov to gain his first break point chance in the third game. A mistimed Federer forehand handed Dimitrov the break and the lead for 3-1.
Federer’s forehand would get him in trouble again. Though he would go up 15-40 on Dimitrov’s serve later, Federer missed a down the line forehand opportunity that would have put him back on serve. Dimitrov eventually held and went on to take the set and level the match.
Now it was Federer’s turn to up his own intensity as he realized that Dimitrov, a recent finalist in Sydney, had the confidence to potentially make this a long match. Federer timed a low return at a rushing Dimitrov’s feet to cause the error. With that Federer, took control with yet another break for 2-0.
From there, Federer raced away with the third set 6-1.
Dimitrov called for a trainer to assess his arm before the start of the fourth set. The arm issue impacted Dimitrov mostly on his serve as he started losing some of the power that had helped keep in touch with Federer.
At 2-all, Federer ripped a big down the backhand to give yet another break point chance. Dimitrov again battled Federer from the baseline in an extended rally, but only to hit long and give Federer the 3-2 lead.
Though Dimitrov hung tough, including holding serve during a five deuce game late in the set to avoid going down a double break, Federer proved too solid down the stretch to allow Dimitrov any hope of getting back in this one.
Serving for the match at 5-4, Federer produced a final potent big serve followed by winning forehand to close out the 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
Federer hit 48 winners but more unforced errors at 55, especially on his forehand side. Dimitrov his 23 winners and 44 errors.
With the loss, Dimitrov is now 0-9 against the top five since beating Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2014.
Federer later spoke to Jim Courier after the match.
Federer will next face No. 15 seed David Goffin.