Federer Dispatches of Fucsovics Despite Early Scare, Makes Record 15th Quarterfinal in Melbourne
Losing the first set again showed Roger Federer hadn’t completely erased the Millman scare from his mind, but overall it was a brilliant performance from the Swiss, who defeated Marton Fucsovics in four sets (4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2) to make a record 15th Australian Open quarterfinal.
Roger Federer qualified for 15th quarter-final in Melbourne
Roger Federer played two separate matches today.
In the first one, the first set, he was the version of himself that had barely scraped the win against Millman in the previous round; in the second one, the next three sets, he was back to his usual self, firing winners all over the court and proving too much for Marton Fucsovics.
The Hungarian — back in the Round of 16 for the second time after 2018 (lost against… Federer) — had been utterly impressive in his first three rounds, knocking out Denis Shapovalov, Jannik Sinner and Tommy Paul successively.
He built on his momentum to take the first set 6-4 from Federer, his first in six tries against him.
But Fucsovics simply couldn’t sustain his level and match Federer’s the next three.
Despite dropping a set, the world No. 3 had arguably his best performance of the tournament as he played can-you-top-this? tennis all night.
"One of the points of the match so far!" @RogerFederer with three spectacular shots to secure the points 👏
🇦🇺 Watch the #AusOpen LIVE
📺 Eurosport 1
📱💻🖥 Eurosport Player: https://t.co/0Fa7uXMVB9 pic.twitter.com/WVMWsLzaR6— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 26, 2020
Roger Federer doing @RogerFederer things 👏
🇦🇺 Watch the #AusOpen LIVE
📺 Eurosport 1
📱💻🖥 Eurosport Player: https://t.co/0Fa7uXMVB9 pic.twitter.com/9XHoh7ojnZ— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 26, 2020
Federer wrapped up the win in 2 hours and 11 minutes (4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2).
He’s into a record 15th Australian Open quarterfinal, surpassing Australia’s John Newcombe… on Australia Day. A little nod to history.
Remarkably enough, that wasn’t the most impressive record Federer clinched today.
Federer just CONVERTED A BREAK POINT by stopping play and SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGING a ball.
Hold your dearest and nearest, the world’s about to end!— naturelle (@naturelle13) January 26, 2020
Federer's best stat of the day:
4/4 hawk eye challenges— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 26, 2020
Federer’s great form stretched over the post-match interview, where he cracked the perfect dad joke about his next opponent, Tennys Sandgren.
"I've played a lot of tennis in my life but never against Tennys." 😂@rogerfederer previews (almost) his next match up with Tennys Sandgren. #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/SNg43HP9EY
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2020
Sandgren may be playing some of the best tennis of his life coming into the quarterfinals, like two years ago, but that won’t prevent tennis fans from projecting into the potential Federer v. Djokovic clash that looms in the semifinals.
The Swiss was mostly brilliant today, but he might have to take it up another notch looking forward to the rest of the tournament if he wants a chance at a record-tying 7th title in Melbourne.
