A late match on Rod Laver Arena saw the third seed Roger Federer go up against David Goffin. Federer was looking to advance to the quarterfinals one more time in his illustrious career. After a close affair with Grigor Dimitrov in his previous match, Federer wasted no time in this as he cruised to a comfortable 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory dropping serve just once.
Impeccable Serving By Federer
Federer started proceedings with a comfortable love hold. The third seed got his first break point opportunity in the fourth game after Goffin netted his backhand. A subsequent poor forehand into the net allowed Federer to break to 3-1. The following three games went on serve.
The Swiss wasted no time and set up three set points on Goffin's serve with a great backhand return winner. Goffin could only save two and sent his forehand over the baseline at 30-40 down. Federer wrapped up the first set 6-2 in 21 minutes dropping just two points on serve.
Goffin Could Do Nothing To Stop The Fed Express
The world number three began the second set like in the first as he raced through his games. Goffin's errors gave Federer chance to break again and the Swiss did making no mistake with a forehand winner to lead 3-1.
Federer continued with his winners and unleashed a fiery forehand to set up another break point in the sixth game. The Belgian saved the first of many to come with an ace. The third seed persistent with the pressure as Goffin continued to face break points. The Belgian finally succumbed as Federer got the break with a wonderful lob winner. The Swiss was in full control at 5-1 and served out the set 6-1 with ease needing only 29 minutes.
Goffin Providing A Bit Of Fight But Federer On His Way
Goffin had no answers as Federer hit an exquisite forehand down the line winner to get the break at the start of the third set. The Belgian provided a bit of fight in the following game but Federer held on to consolidate the break. Goffin fought off pressure from the Swiss to finally get on board at 1-2. The Swiss extended his lead as he broke once more in the fifth game after an errant game from the Belgian to go 3-1 up.
Goffin was rewarded with his first ever break point after a loose sixth game from Federer. The Belgian seized it with a forehand to get one break back. Goffin followed up the break with a better service game holding his serve to trail 3-4.
Both men did well to hold serve after that with the score at 5-4. Federer with the match on his racket as he served out a comfortable 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win in 90 minutes.
Match Statistics
Federer's serving was great today as he recorded high numbers winning 86 percent of his first serves and 64 percent of his second serves. In contrast, Goffin won 65 percent of his serves and just 29 percent of his second serves.
Both players with numerous unforced errors as well as Federer hit 20 while Goffin hit a few more at 23. But Federer's 39 winners helped him while the Belgian hit 17.