- Australian Open, Day Six
Federer knocks out home favourite in Melbourne
Roger Federer played the role of villain on Saturday as he knocked out Bernard Tomic to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Tomic, still only 20 years of age, was the big hope for the home crowd in Melbourne, having registered a shock win over Novak Djokovic at the start of the year. However, he only briefly threatened against Federer, who won 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1.
The third round represented the start of a potentially rocky road for Federer, who is scheduled to meet big-hitters from this stage of the competition all the way to the final. Milos Raonic is next up for the Swiss after he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4.
In the end, the challenge of Tomic proved a surprisingly comfortable draw for Federer, who never looked in danger in a high quality contest. The Australian created one break point in the match compared to Federer's 16 - three of which he converted.
A total of 88 winners were hit as both men went for their shots, and on this showing belief will grow that Federer can win an 18th grand slam in Melbourne.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga may await the winner of Federer v Raonic in the quarter-finals after he beat Blaz Kavcic 6-2 6-1 6-4. Victory arrived in an hour and 19 minutes for the impressive Frenchman.
The seventh seed will be content with all areas of his game as he converted seven of nine break chances, attacking the net to keep points short. Displaying immense power, Tsonga hit lines frequently and will be a danger to any player left in the tournament.
He must now beat countryman Richard Gasquet, who overcame Ivan Dodig 4-6 6-4 7-6(2) 6-0, to reach the last-eight.
The shock of the day came in Federer's side of the draw, with Juan Martin Del Potro stunned by Jeremy Chardy. Del Potro would have been one match away from facing Andy Murray - a straight-sets winner over Ricardas Berankis - with victory, but was beaten 6-3 6-3 6-7(3) 3-6 6-3.
Chardy outgunned Del Potro in all areas, serving 20 aces and hitting 78 winners. He will now meet Andreas Seppi - a 6-7(2) 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2 victor over Marin Cilic - for the right to potentially face Murray in the quarter-finals.