Sharapova wins for 600th time; advances at Australian Open

Roger Federer won his 300th Grand Slam match by knocking Grigor Dimitrov out of the Australian Open in the third round of the tournament in Melbourne on Friday.

Only Martina Navratilova (306) stands in front of him. “Like when I reached 1,000 past year, it was a big deal for me”, said Federer, who won his first slam match at the Australian Open in 2000.

“It’s not something I ever aimed for but when it happens, it’s very special”, he said.

“It’s very exciting, I must tell you”, he said. So it’s very nice.

No. 15 David Goffin beat No. 19 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5 – his first win against a top-20 player at a Grand Slam.

The top seed and defending champion saved two third-set points against Seppi before reeling off the next four points to clinch it 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6), his 33rd straight victory over Italian opposition. Dimitrov took a set off Federer for the first time in the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International, and did that again in Melbourne. He finished with 47 winners, including 13 aces.

“I’m pleased. It wasn’t easy”, said Federer. “But then found my way back, then was able to take charge of the match”.

The Serb raced through the first set easily, but in the second set had to play lengthy rallies of 22 and 32 shots to get the much needed break in the 11th game. “I was happy with the way I finished”.

Vinci had taken the first set with a bagel, only for the 21 year old German pumped her game to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 to stop the woman who extinguished Serena Williams march for an All Slam win at the US Open last September.

Federer has won in Melbourne four times, albeit not since 2010, and holds numerous records in the sport.

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov serves during his third round match against Switzerland’s Roger F …

After extending a streak of making the fourth round or better at every major since a third-round exit at the 2009 French Open, Djokovic will play No. 14 Gilles Simon in the Round of 16. Agnieszka Radwanska was too good for Monica Puig in the third round of the Australian Open, though there will be concerns about the fourth seed’s fitness.

Neither player was at his best, however, as the two combined for 99 unforced errors (55 for Federer and 44 for Dimitrov), but Federer compensated by hitting 48 winners to Dimitrov’s 23. “I’m just glad to get through”. “I hope he’s OK”. He sought courtside treatment from the trainer several times during the match.

“Just don’t get discouraged in the same time”.

“But it’s important to win those matches maybe where you felt a little off”. That’s why I think it’s always very interesting to follow a teenager growing up on the tennis tour. “So I’m really going to try to go out there and use all my confidence that I’ve built so far and, of course, keep trying”.

She plays Czech world No 66 Denisa Allertova in round three and Jo Durie – who made the last eight at Wimbledon 32 years ago – has been impressed. The right-hander will look to overturn a 0-3 FedEx ATP Head2Head record over Federer.