• Australian Open, Day Five

Federer rises to Karlovic challenge

ESPN staff
January 20, 2012
Roger Federer remained calm under pressure © Getty Images
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Roger Federer claimed a straight-sets 7-6(6) 7-5 6-3 win over the towering Ivo Karlovic to book his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The Swiss ace found an answer to the Karlovic serve and lifted his game to another level when required. Federer, a four-time winner of the tournament, called upon all his experience and class to edge the Croatian in a tight first two sets before sealing the win with an emphatic display in the third.

Federer looked for a way to nullify Karlovic's booming delivery early on, but games went with serve, forcing a tense tiebreaker. Karlovic spurned the opportunity to serve for the set as Federer sent a forehand beyond the baseline, only for the world No. 3 to bounce back to win the next three points and take the advantage.

Games again went on serve for the greater part of the second, with neither player able to make a real impact. However, that changed in the 12th game as Federer made the most of just his second break point with successive angled forehands.

Federer, though, was guilty of wasting two break points in the second game of the third set, but made amends to move to a 4-1 lead, breaking the giant Karlovic's spirit in the process. The third seed then made sure of his progress to round four with his 55th winner of the match.

He will now take on Australian hope Bernard Tomic, who beat Alexandr Dolgopolov in five sets.

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