Defending champion Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as he powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
World No.2 drops just seven games en route to fourth round
Defending champion Roger Federer barely broke a sweat as he powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Federer, who endured a gruelling five-set epic against Gilles Simon in the second round, needed just an hour and 45 minutes to see off Xavier Malisse 6-3 6-3 6-1.
Malisse, the world No.45, had his moments against Federer and even led 3-1 in the second set.
However Federer simply outclassed his friend, with the 16-time grand slam champion toying with the Belgian at times.
The world No.2, though insisted that the match was harder than it looked.
"I am still happy I passed the test against Simon," said Federer.
"Today wasn't a whole lot easier although the scoreline might suggest it."
Novak Djokovic was handed an easy passage into the fourth round after Serbian Davis Cup team-mate Viktor Troicki pulled out after one set.
Happy
Troicki had already called for the trainer when 4-1 down before he withdraw with a stomach muscle injury shortly after losing the set 6-2.
A sympathetic Djokovic said: "It is the third round of a Grand Slam and he wants to give his best but he wasn't able to do it.
"I know that Viktor is a very difficult opponent and I am just happy that I did not have to spend that much time on the court and that I can continue my run."
It wasn't as straight forward for Andy Roddick as the eighth seed had to come from a set down before seeing off hobbling Dutchman Robin Haase.
The American eventually came through 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 after nearly two-and-a-half hours in the Melbourne heat.
It was a productive day for the leading seeds, with Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Almagro both progressing.
Sixth seed Berdych brushed aside 28th-ranked Richard Gasquet 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, while No.14 seed Almagro overcame Ivan Ljubicic, the 17th seed, 6-4 7-6 (10-8) 6-3.
