Australian Open: Federer coasts and Djokovic survives injury scare, but it's lights out for Zverev

Melbourne, January 20: Roger Federer coasted into round four of the Australian Open and Novak Djokovic overcame an injury scare, but a frustrated Alexander Zverev was knocked out by rising star Hyeon Chung on Saturday (January 20).

Paes-Raja save match point" title="Halep's marathon match | Paes-Raja save match point" />Halep's marathon match | Paes-Raja save match point

Defending champion Federer was at his graceful best in a routine victory over Richard Gasquet, while former world number one Djokovic was hampered by a hip complaint yet nevertheless won in straight sets against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Zverev, fancied as an outsider for glory in Melbourne, was frustrated by a lack of light as he was sent packing by NextGen Finals champion Chung in five sets. Juan Martin del Potro was also ousted in round three.

RUTHLESS ROGER, DJOKOVIC COOLS INJURY FEARS

Federer may now be 36, but Father Time shows no signs of catching up with the evergreen Swiss, who was a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victor over Gasquet on Rod Laver Arena.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in Melbourne, and his awesome backhand was a potent weapon throughout against Gasquet. A last-16 tie with Marton Fucsovics awaits.

'Smouldering intensity' 😂@TheRock, is @RogerFederer doing it right?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RL21okafvG

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018

"The girls really fell in love with tennis... And the boys seem to enjoy themselves more." -@RogerFederer

Imagine a world where the two sets of Federer twins are conquering the sport like their father once did... 🌟🌟🌟🌟#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zgWqViyzgL

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018

On the face of it, Djokovic – a six-time winner in Melbourne – enjoyed a comfortable 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 beating of Ramos-Vinolas.

However, the Serbian – back playing competitively after a six-month lay-off with an elbow problem – was clearly inconvenienced by an issue with his left hip from the start of a second set where he needed a medical timeout.

Djokovic later calmed any fears, though, saying: "It was okay. Nothing major. I knew I wanted to use the medical timeout because I needed it, but at the same time I knew it was nothing major that can potentially raise the question mark on whether I can continue playing or not."

"I'm not the only one who considers this slam as the 'Happy Slam'... It's a great pleasure to be here." @DjokerNole humble in victory as always and also tries his hand at an Aussie impression 😂#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZFir8nRkOk

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018

LIGHTS OUT FOR ZVEREV

It was a disappointing outing for Zverev, who twice surrendered a set lead to lose 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 to Chung, the man that now faces Djokovic.

A frustrated Zverev was seen remonstrating with the umpire on more than one occasion and later explained his annoyance was due to the fading Melbourne light.

"I told him for about six games to turn the lights on because it was cloudy, it was dark," he said. "And after about five games, they still didn't turn the lights on. I was asking, can you please turn the lights on, because it's not that difficult? After a while, they did. That's it."

ICYMI: Hyeon #Chung had his first @ATPWorldTour Top 10 win against Alexander #Zverev on Day 6 of the #AusOpen

What of it? 🤷‍♂️#KiaTennis @Kia_Motors pic.twitter.com/RRNmbNCeHD

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018

DEL POTRO DONE, THIEM MARCHES ON

In what was expected to be a tight affair, Del Potro (12) disappointed in a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 loss to Tomas Berdych (19).

Dominic Thiem (5) marched on, though, with a straight-sets win over Adrian Mannarino and will next face Tennys Sandgren, who needed four to beat Maximilian Marterer.

In Saturday's other men's singles contests, Fabio Fognini was taken the distance in beating Julien Benneteau, while Fucsovics dropped just eight games against Nicolas Kicker.

Source: OPTA