Roger Federer overcame some feisty resistance from Alexandr Dolgopolov to safely advance to the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 victory on Wednesday.
The Swiss third seed had romped through the opening set of their second round clash on Rod Laver Arena in just 26 minutes before the 27-year-old Ukrainian started to assert pressure on Federer's serve in the second.
The 34-year-old overcame a mini challenge in the second set from Alexandr Dolgopolov before he ran away with the match courtesy of a superb service game and aggressive groundstrokes in the final set.
He will next play Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the third round on Friday and the third seed was so far enjoying his quest for his fifth Australian Open title.
"It's been going very well for me, and I hope to keep it up as long as I choose to play tennis," the 17-times grand slam winner told reporters after recording his 299th victory at a grand slam with the win against the 27-year-old Ukrainian.
"The least I expect (is) to be in the third round of a slam, so I'm pumped up, playing well, feeling good."
