Vintage Federer hammers Berdych to reach fourth round

[January 20, 2017]    By Ian Ransom
 
 MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A rampaging Roger Federer delivered a stunning reminder of his class at the Australian Open on Friday with a crushing 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over Tomas Berdych to storm into the fourth round.

Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a shot during his Men's singles third round match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Playing only his third tour match since coming back from a knee injury, Federer was expected to be tested by the hard-hitting Czech but he sent the 10th seed packing after a 90-minute masterclass at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old Swiss, seeded 17th, had shown rust in his earlier matches but was in spell-binding touch with 40 winners, wrapping up the match with an imperious crosscourt backhand.

Federer will meet fifth seed Kei Nishikori for a place in the quarter-finals.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

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