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Immaculate Federer reaches Australian Open second round in style
MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Roger Federer swatted aside Steve
Johnson to race into the Australian Open second round Monday as he
kickstarted his bid for a 21st Grand Slam title in immaculate style.
The ageless Swiss great, 38, said ahead of the tournament that he had low
expectations at the year’s opening Grand Slam after missing the warm-up ATP
Cup to spend more time with his family.
It left him short of match practice, but it didn’t show on Rod Laver Arena
against the American in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 demolition.
“I felt really good. I trained really hard, like I always do, and happy I
did not have any (injury) setbacks (in the off-season),” said Federer.
“I am happy, I played well in practice and happy it showed on the court as
well.”
The crowd favourite knew he needed to get out of the blocks fast against
the world number 75 and that’s what he did, racing to a 4-1 lead in the
opening set before a 10-minute interruption for the roof to be shut due to
rain.
Federer returned and wrapped up the set in just 27 minutes.
Johnson, known for his big forehand and slice backhand, again gave away
service breaks early in the next two sets and there was no way back against a
man who delivered some jaw-dropping returns and forehands.
He will next play either French qualifier Quentin Halys or Serbian Filip
Krajinovic.
Seeded three, Federer is gunning for not only a 21st Slam title but his
seventh in Australia, having most recently tasted success at Melbourne Park
in 2018.
Despite his age, the Swiss star remains a competitive force and won four
singles titles last year.
But he failed to add another Grand Slam with his closest call coming in
the Wimbledon final, where he lost a five-set epic to Novak Djokovic.
In contrast to his 2019 Major drought, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal won two
apiece, with the Spaniard moving within one Slam title of Federer’s record
20.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1245HRS