By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, January 14, 2019
Reigning Australian Open champion Roger Federer fired 52 winners and did not face a break point soaring into his 20th consecutive Australian Open second round.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
On a night when Andy Murray may well have bid farewell to the Australian Open, Roger Federer bought some mixed magic to Melbourne.
The reigning Australian Open champion made giant killer Denis Istomin disappear.
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Moving fluidly, Federer fired 52 winners dismissing the world No. 99, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, flying into his 20th consecutive Australian Open second round.
"I think I was hitting the ball pretty well," said Federer, who raised his Australian Open record to 95-13. "I think I protected my serve well, didn't allow Denis really to get into my service games very often. I was always in the lead, as well. Obviously that helps. I can free swing maybe a little bit more. At the same time I think I have to do some defense, some offense. It was a bit of everything.
"But I'm very happy with my first round, to be honest. It's been great. Felt the ball really good."
It was Federer's 15th straight Melbourne victory.
The 37-year-old Swiss set the tone on serve.
Federer slashed 14 aces, won 83 percent of his first-serve points and did not face a break point in beating Istomin for the seventh time in as many meetings.
Smooth transition skills have been a part of Federer's all-court arsenal since he stunned Pete Sampras at Wimbledon.
Continuing his quest for a historic 100th career title, Federer said his recent mixed doubles matches with partner Belinda Bencic have sharpened his net game.
The Swiss pair successfully defend their Hopman Cup championship earlier this month with a dramatic mixed doubles win over Germany's Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber in the final.
Quicker court conditions in Melbourne suit Federer's attacking game and can help him shorten points when he's hitting his spots on serve.
"I played a lot of serve and volley against Zverev, basically the whole match at the Hopman Cup," Federer said. "I feel like I'm volleying really well. I feel really comfortable at net.
"I think also mixed doubles, to be quite honest, helped me because I served and volleyed in the mixed doubles all the time and spent a lot of time at net. I've been feeling good at net for quite some time now. I think the transition with the sprints and stuff, I feel really good about it. My body is in good shape."
A year ago, Hopman Cup success carried over to Melbourne as Federer successfully defended the Australian Open.
The third seed hopes history repeats as he play for a three-peat and his seventh career Australian Open crown, which would give him sole ownership of the all-time Oz Open record for most men's singles titles ahead of Roy Emerson and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion is also actively seeking a reunion with rivals Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, but not for the reasons you might think.
ATP Player Council president Djokovic is reportedly leading a group of players seeking to end ATP CEO Chris Kermode's reign.
At his pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic declined to discuss details of a private player meeting.
After defeating James Duckworth in his 2019 debut, Nadal expressed frustration neither Djokovic nor any member of the player council contacted him about Kermode's future.
Nadal said when he served on the player council he made an effort to communicate with his peers about important issues.
"Being honest, I am not in the council anymore, and at the same time, nobody from the council side came to me and asked me my opinion," Nadal said. "So I can't have a real opinion on all of this, because no one of my representatives came to me and asked me if I am happy with the president or not.
"Was the first information I had that maybe Chris is not continuing. No, no, I didn't heard about it, but I suppose if something, some crucial decisions like this, I don't know, I understand that somebody from the council should come to me and ask my position."
The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he supports Kermode.
Informed of Nadal's frustration, Federer said he looks forward to sitting down with Nadal and Djokovic this week to discuss the issue. <
It's vital for the world's top three to unite and propel the game forward, Federer said.
"It's nice to see that (Nadal) cares, regardless if it's positive or negative. I think it's always good when top guys care," Federer said. "I was on the council with him. I get along with Rafa really well. I do also with Novak. I just want to get the take and see how we can move the sport into the right direction moving forward. Not that there is any miscommunication and groups being built in some shape or form. I don't know exactly what has been going on in that regard.
"Look, it's a big decision-making time right now. I think it's important that Rafa, Novak, and me, we get together."