Federer Into Round Three After 70th Win at Australian Open
Roger Federer won his 70th match at the Australian Open on Thursday beating Blaz Kavcic 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(4) to reach the third round at Melbourne Park in just under two hours. A four-time Aussie Open champion in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010, Federer is the first player to reach the 70 win mark at Melbourne Park.
Federer will next face Teymuraz Gabashvili, a 7-6, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 upset winner over the 31st-seeded Fernando Verdasco.
Andy Murray also advanced Thursday, reeling off 23 straight points to win his second-round match against Vincent Millot 6-2, 6-2, 7-5.
"I would say that's probably the most I'd ever won in my career by far," said Murray. "I mean, it's very difficult to do. I don't really know how I did it. I guess it's normal he got a little bit nervous, which helped. He started missing a few balls and I adjusted my tactics a little bit. Then that obviously made a difference as well. So it's a good way to finish."
Up next for Murray is Feliciano Lopez in round three, a 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4 winner Thursday over Michael Berrer. Murray is a perfect 7-0 lifetime over Lopez.
World number one Rafael Nadal ended the run of Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, defeating the 17-year-old 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round. Nadal is seeking his 14th Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Nadal next faces Gael Monfils in round three, after Monfils’ win over Jack Sock 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-2 in just over two hours. Nadal is 9-2 lifetime against Monfils.
