Federer too strong for Dimitrov

Roger Federer reached the last 16 at the Australian Open after proving too strong for Grigor Dimitrov in their highly-anticipated third-round match.

The Swiss third seed won 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4 under the Rod Laver Arena roof as rain halted play on the outside courts.

It brought four-time champion Federer his 300th Grand slam match win.

Former champion Maria Sharapova was able to progress, with top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams featuring in the night session at Melbourne Park.

Sharapova needed three sets to beat unseeded American Lauren Davis, the Russian fifth seed dominating the latter stages to win 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-0.

Switzerland’s seventh seed Belinda Bencic beat Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 4-6 6-2 6-4, while men’s seventh seed Kei Nishikori saw off Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5 2-6 6-3 6-4 despite requiring treatment on his wrist.

“It was a little bit sore in the beginning, but after the treatment it was fine,” said the Japanese player.

French ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won in three tight sets against compatriot Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 6-4 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-4).

Federer finds his clinical edge

The 34-year-old Swiss had won a tight battle against Dimitrov in Brisbane in the build-up to the Australian Open, but was a more comfortable winner on the bigger Grand Slam stage.

Both men displayed the elegant shot-making they are known for but had Federer been more effective on break points in the second set, he might have won it in three.

Federer failed to recover an early deficit in the second set and had converted just one of eight break points going into the third, only to step on the gas and leave Dimitrov in his wake.

Sharapova breaks new ground

It took two hours and 14 minutes for the five-time Grand Slam champion to see off Davis, the world number 103, and claim the 600th victory of her 15-year career.

“Wow. I’ve won 600 matches?” said the 28-year-old. “Is this like a friendly reminder that I’m getting old? Might be.”

Sharapova next faces a tough test against 18-year-old Bencic, with the winner earning a potential quarter-final against Williams.

Bencic, coached by Melanie Molitor, mother of Martina Hingis, has won her last 15 three-set matches dating back to the 2015 French Open.

“That’s good,” said the Swiss. “Because I was losing a lot, and then my dad and my coach were like, ‘You don’t have any fitness.’ I don’t know if it’s only fitness, it’s more the focus and confidence.”

British duel falls foul of weather

Among the many matches postponed on a day of rain in Melbourne was the all-British doubles clash between Johanna Konta and Heather Watson, and and Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith.

With all four players in the GB Fed Cup squad, and team captain Judy Murray sure to be courtside, it could yet prove significant in terms of planning for next month’s qualifier in Israel.

The postponements mean a packed schedule on Saturday, with Johanna Konta up against Czech Denisa Allertova first on Hisense Arena at 00:00 GMT, and fellow British number one against Portugal’s Joao Sousa first in the Margaret Court Arena night session at 08:00.

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