• Australian Open, Day Three

Nervous Federer scrapes into third round

ESPN staff
January 19, 2011
Roger Federer survived a scare against Gilles Simon © PA Photos
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Day Three Gallery

Australian Open women's round-up:
Classy Henin too good for Baltacha
Australian Open men's round-up:
Roddick survives test to extend run

Roger Federer breathed a sigh of relief after booking his place in the third round of the Australian Open after letting a two-set lead slip against Gilles Simon.

The defending champion survived a stern test of his championship credentials after being taken to five sets by the world No. 34 before eventually triumphing 6-2 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3.

The four-time Australian Open champion looked to be on course for a routine victory after comfortably taking the first two sets, but Simon, who had won both of their two previous meetings, kept himself in the hunt with an early break in the third before hanging on to take the encounter to a fourth set.

It was a gutsy display by Simon, who saved two break points early in the fourth set and showed no signs of respect for the second seed, who made an uncharacteristic 53 unforced errors. Two big serves saved two break points, but Simon made no mistake with the third to snatch a break before serving out the set to take the match to a decider.

Simon continued to cause problems for Federer, and the Swiss found himself 0-30 down on his serve in the third game, but the 16-time grand slam champion showed the strength of character to hang on, before securing a break to go 4-2 up and within sight of the third round.

Simon refused to lie down, and aggressively attacked every point, saving four match points before Federer finally triumphed after over three hours on court.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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