Federer makes history at Australian Open

Grigor Dimitrov lost in the third round of the Australian Open to Roger Federer on January 22, his sixth consecutive first-week exit at a Grand Slam since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2014. “I think I can take a lot of good things from that”, said Sharapova, who faces Swiss teen Belinda Bencic in the next round.

Earlier on the center court, Maria Sharapova collected her 600th win at tour level. “I am quite happy that I was able to step up in the third set”. His aim now is for an 18th major title – he hasn’t added to his collection since winning Wimbledon in 2012.

Meanwhile, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be out to win his third-round clash against Italy’s Andreas Seppi, the match coming after reports in an Italian newspaper the Serb “wanted to lose” a match in 2007.

Roger Federer was already a long way clear at the top of the list of men with the most wins in Grand Slam singles matches, so becoming the first to 300 wasn’t a major distraction.

“So I just have to be focused on what I have to do, like every match, to be aggressive and take every opportunities as I can”, Goffin said of his upcoming encounter.

He sought courtside treatment from the trainer several times during the match. Sharapova maintained her push for a second Australian Open title when she beat America’s Lauren Davis, a full foot shorter than the Russian at 5ft 2ins (1.57m), 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-0. Both players made frequent surges to the net in the match, with Federer winning 29 of 40 net approaches, while Dimitrov won 17 of 25.

No. 7 Kei Nishikori also advanced to the round of 16, beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Play finally began on some outdoor courts after more than a six-hour delay, and seven doubles matches were postponed.

He’s the first man – ever – to win 300 Grand Slam matches. Elsewhere, fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska reeled off nine straight games as she obliterated Monica Puig 6-4, 6-0, despite continuing pain from a left-leg injury which stopped her competing in Sydney last week.