Federer sets up another Berdych showdown

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Melbourne, January 22: Roger Federer continued his comfortable passage through at the Australian Open, easing past Marton Fucsovics in the fourth round on Monday.

The Swiss maestro was untroubled in a convincing 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory over Hungary's Fucsovics, who was in the last 16 of a major for the first time, on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer is yet to drop a set at the year's first major on his way to a 52nd grand slam quarter-final.

Awaiting him is a familiar opponent in Tomas Berdych, who will face Federer for a fifth time at the Australian Open with the Czech still searching for a first win over the 19-time slam champion in Melbourne.

In what was always a quarter of the draw that was likely to hold no fears for Federer, the defending champion is yet to be tested.

The 36-year-old also became the oldest man to reach the last eight at the Australian Open since Ken Rosewall in 1977.

While Fucsovics produced a gritty hold in the sixth game of the opening set, it seemed only a matter of time before Federer would pounce.

The moment, and only break of serve in the set, came in the 10th game, a Federer overhead sealing the opener 6-4.

Fucsovics showed he could match Federer for periods, but the world number 80 lacked the weapons to hurt the Swiss star.

Federer, at times showing off some fine defence, took the second set in a tie-break before cruising through the third.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Federer [2] bt Fucsovics 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-2

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Federer – 34/28 Fucsovics – 23/37

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Federer – 6/2 Fucsovics – 5/6

BREAK POINTS WON Federer – 3/10 Fucsovics – 0/0

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Federer – 59 Fucsovics – 53

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Federer – 83/76 Fucsovics – 67/53

TOTAL POINTS Federer – 108 Fucsovics – 81

Source: OPTA