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 The four-times champion wobbled briefly in the inter-generational
battle when the 24-year-old nicknamed 'Baby Fed' pulled off his best
impression of the Swiss master to capture the second set under a
closed roof at Rod Laver Arena.
Federer, however, simply lifted a gear, taming an occasionally
wayward forehand before speeding away to set up a clash with another
young gun in Belgian 15th seed David Goffin.
Blessed with a similar shot-making grace as his opponent, Dimitrov
showed his class in a number of thrilling baseline battles and
Federer admitted that, at times, it felt like playing himself.
"It's a little odd from time to time, I feel like he picks up the
ball on the backhand and the forehand (like me)," Federer said in a
courtside interview.
"Then I started playing the wrong way at times ... It's nice playing
him, it's always fair play."
Their head-to-head record at the end of the twilight match stood at
5-0 in Federer's favor, however, and Dimitrov exits Melbourne Park
still very much stuck in the Swiss's long shadow.
Having celebrated his 1,000th tour win in Brisbane last year,
Federer was tickled by the idea of notching up his 300th in grand
slams.
Only Martina Navratilova has won more matches at the majors, with
306, while among the men, Jimmy Connors is a distant second to
Federer with 233.
The third seed's winning run showed that he still has the game to
dismiss young pretenders.
"You got to work hard, even harder now these days it seems like,"
Federer told reporters when asked what he might write to a junior
version of himself.
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"There's more professional tennis players than ever. The depth is
greater. Talent takes you only so far. But the rest of it is you
have to teach it to yourself and learn it, get it right."
It may as well have been a lecture for the benefit of Dimitrov as
the 24-year-old plots a way to return to the big-time in the wake of
an underwhelming season that checked his emergence.
"You got to be patient, as well," Federer added.
"Can't expect to win slams at 16, 17, 18 anymore these days,
skyrocket through the rankings, unless you're out of this world.
"I needed to make mistakes to become the player I am today. It's
been amazing. I've been truly privileged to have the experience."
(Editing by Patrick Johnston and Pritha Sarkar)
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