Federer flies into Australian Open fourth round

Roger Federer has cruised into the Australian Open fourth round after steamrolling Teymuraz Gabashvili on Saturday. The 17-time grand slam champion and sixth seed was untroubled during the one hour and 41 minutes he spent on a cooler Rod Laver Arena. His 6-2 6-2 6-3 victory came on the back of a professional display as he hit 35 winners and 18 unforced errors. Gabashvili, the world number 79, never looked like causing a huge upset, and an unforced error count of 33 did him no favours. A clash against either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Gilles Simon awaits Federer, who is into the fourth round at Melbourne Park for a 13th straight year. Federer took until the sixth game to secure the match's first break as Gabashvili double-faulted at 15-40. Gabashvili had a chance to break back in the next game but missed his chance, and the set was over soon after when he failed to return a ripped Federer forehand. Federer threatened to run away with the second set before finally breaking in the sixth game. Just like the first set, there was a second break to finish it – this time courtesy of a Gabashvili backhand hitting the net. Gabashvili was more threatening on the Federer serve to start the third, but again it was the Swiss maestro who broke in the fourth game. That was the only break of serve Federer would require as he served it out in the ninth game, completing the comprehensive win when Gabashvili dragged a wild forehand well wide.