Switzerland's Roger Federer dominated Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev to set up a mouth-watering clash with Marat Safin at the Australian Open today.
Switzerland's Roger Federer dominated Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev to set up a mouth-watering clash with Marat Safin at the Australian Open today.
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The 13-time Grand Slam champion let loose with some instinctive shot-making as he won 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in just 86 minutes to reach the third round, where Safin waits after beating Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
"I'm happy the way it went. He was also a good opponent to play against and there were a lot of good shots," Federer said, before looking ahead to the Safin clash.
"I don't know if I'm happy or not," he smiled. "No, I'm happy to play Marat, we've had some great matches over the years, so don't mind me.
"I think it's going to be a great match already in the third round, which is a pity in some ways, but I hope we can come up with some good tennis."
Federer is seeking a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title here after starting his first season without the top ranking since 2004.
The Swiss has beaten Safin nine times but lost out in a classic semi-final here in 2005, when the Russian claimed the title.
Federer has reached the semi-finals at the last five Australian Opens, winning the tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
It was his first career meeting against Korolev, who has never reached the third round of a Grand Slam.
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