Federer Passes Karlovic Test; Tomic Tops Dolgopolov

© Getty ImagesFederer saved both break points he faced against Karlovic Friday.

Four-time champion Roger Federer advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open Friday, topping Ivo Karlovic 7-6(6), 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 17 minutes. With the win, Federer improved to a 10-1 record against the Croat.

The two were deadlocked in a service battle in the opening set, with neither seeing a break point opportunity. In the ensuing tie-break, Karlovic served for the set at 6-5. Rushing the net and carving a drop volley, Karlovic seemed to be in a winning position, but Federer did the near impossible, scooping up a lob that the 6’ 10’’ Karlovic was unable to handle. The Swiss won the next two points to snatch the momentum, winning the hard-fought set in 53 minutes. "Thank God, he gave me a second serve and gave me a slight chance," said Federer.

"I might have had a little bit of a lucky volley, but [I also had] quick reflexes at the net... Then after that, I maybe relaxed a bit. I got a bit of a better read on his serve potentially and just knew what I also wanted to do on my own service games."

Read DEUCE: Federer Fearless At 30 | The World According To Ivo

From there, Federer slowly began to impose himself on Karlovic’s serve and finally earned break point opportunities in the 12th game of the second set, capitalising on his second chance to take a two set lead. The 16-time major champion went on to convert an early service break in the third set, and maintained his lead, finishing the match by winning 78 per cent of his service points. "Overall I feel good," Federer said. "It was a good match for me and a good last week or so. No back issues at all today. I didn't even think about it, to be honest. So it was a good day at the office."

Federer and Karlovic were meeting for the first time since the 2009 Wimbledon quarter-finals, a match Federer won in straight sets en route to lifting the trophy. Karlovic has only broken Federer once in the 28 sets that they’ve played.

In the fourth round, Federer will square off against 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic, who edged past No. 13 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine 4-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-3.

Philipp Kohlschreiber reached the round of 16 for the third time after he defeated Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3). The German was effective when he came forward, winning 24 of his 29 net approaches. He broke Falla five times to claim the win in two hours and 18 minutes.

Kohlschreiber will look to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final when he plays No. 11 seed Juan Martin del Potro, who swept past Yen-Hsun Lu 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 in one hour and 52 minutes. Del Potro committed just 13 unforced errors and dropped just five points on his first serve.

"I played I think the best match of the year," said del Potro. "I was really confident with my forehand [throughout] the match. I served much better than the past two matches, and my game is still improving. So it's a good sign for the next round."