The top guns clinched wins in the Australian Open matches yesterday to cruise into the last eight of the tournament. PHOTO: AGENCIES
Raonic was serving in excess of 230 kilometres per hour but Federer made enough inroads to post a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 win in one hour 53min.
“I felt good out there,” said Federer. “I was moving well, had good anticipation and reaction today, which was key obviously on the return.
“I showed good reflexes in the game,” he added regarding Raonic’s serve.
“In the third set I started to feel extremely good on the return. I played well.
“You try to anticipate a bit, and it happened better and better as the match went on. It’s important to stay focused. I have learned that over the years, and it pays off in the end.”
Meanwhile, British third-seed Andy Murray capitalised on the weakened condition of an ailing Gilles Simon as he marched into the quarter-finals.
The US Open champion was too much in form for the French 14th-seed as he won 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in one hour 35min on Hisense Arena.
“I have to try and focus on my side of the court,” said Murray. “He’s one of the best movers on the tour and he was clearly struggling in his movement today. It was tough, but that’s what Grand Slam tennis is.”
In another match, former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga sang the praises of new coach Roger Rasheed after he too reached the quarter-finals in his quest for a maiden Grand Slam win.
The 2008 runner-up was too strong for French compatriot and ninth-seed Richard Gasquet, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours 20min on Rod Laver Arena, and now will face either Roger Federer in the last-eight.
“He’s giving me an extra motivation,” said Tsonga of his coach. “It’s great because he’s always positive. He wants maybe more than me to win.”
Defending champ Azarenka into quarters
Elsewhere, reigning champion Victoria Azarenka wasted little energy in making the quarter-finals, beating Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1 to set up a last-eight meeting with Svetlana Kuznetsova, a two-time Grand Slam winner who spent two months on crutches last year.
The experienced Russian needed a tense two hours 28mins to oust 10th-seed and former world number one Wozniacki 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena.
Azarenka said she was wary of the danger Kuznetsova posed to her title defence.
“I can see Sveta came back much fresher, much stronger,” said the Belarusian of her clash with Kuznetsova. “She knows how to handle big tournaments. She’s a Grand Slam champion. It’s definitely an exciting match for me to be in.”
Meanwhile,Serena Williams, gunning for her sixth Australian title, blitzed a dazed Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-0. Williams summed up her performances so far as ‘consistant’.
“I’m really out there just doing the best I can, just fighting for everything,” said Williams.
“I think with that attitude I’m just trying to stay in the tournament just to stay alive.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
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