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AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012

Federer Remains On Track

Melbourne, Australia

by ATP Staff

 | 

18.01.2012

Federer© Getty ImagesRoger Federer is through to the third round of the Australian Open.

The last time Roger Federer played on Hisense Arena at the Australian Open, he had one Grand Slam championship in his trophy cabinet.

On Wednesday, the 16-time major champion had been due to return to the court to face German Andreas Beck in the second round.

"I knew it's been a long time since I've been on," said Federer, who played American Jeff Morrison in 2004 on, the then named Vodafone arena. "But when the draws are such that me and Rafa [Nadal] are in the same section, and you have [Bernard] Tomic, I guess, I expect it to happen. I mean, I was excited."

But, ultimately, directions to the court were not needed as Federer was given a walkover when Beck pulled out ahead of their match with a lower back injury.

Read 'Federer - Fearless At 30' In DEUCE

"I would have loved to play," said Federer, who has never lost in the second round of a major in 51 previous championship. "I was just coming for my warm-up hit, so I was completely focusing on the match. I'll just take it easy this afternoon and come out tomorrow and hit intensely tomorrow. Then I'll be ready for the next match."

Federer, who is bidding to win a fifth Australian Open title, will next play Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who beat Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. A match that could see the Swiss return to Melbourne Park's main show court, the Rod Laver Arena.

Over the past three days, men's matches have been contested first on court at Rod Laver Arena during the night session. Federer admitted, "I think it's nice that the guys get to play first once in a while or 50 per cent of the time."

Federer is now three match wins away from playing 1,000 matches in his career.

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Australian Open, Melbourne, Roger Federer


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