Australian Open third round

When Federer was asked what he would write in a letter to his 18-year-old self, his answer might have been directed to Dimitrov and the others players trying to break into the top echelons of the game. “I guess it will be fixed by the next round”, Kyrgios said. “Here I am at 28, and feeling like I still have many more years ahead of me”.

Federer will next meet No. 15-seeded Belgian David Goffin, who topped No. 19 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-5.

Williams next plays Margarita Gasparyan, who beat Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 6-4.

Fed and Dimitrov – who were next up on Rod Laver Arena – couldn’t believe what they had witnessed, with Federer producing a particularly priceless reaction.

The 21-time major champion held her service at love in the next game, including two aces and a service victor, to close out the match in 1 hour, 45 minutes. “I thought I was struggling a little bit”, Federer said.

Kyrgios gave his home supporters some hope with a fightback in the third set when he twice broke Berdych’s serve, but the Czech regrouped in the fourth set to clinically finish off the Aussie.

After making way for Williams on the main court, he noted it was his first match on Melbourne Park’s No 2 court since it was renovated to include a roof.

As the most senior man in more than a decade to reach the Australian Open’s fourth round – Andre Agassi, at age 34 and 276 days was 100 days older as a 2005 quarterfinalist – Federer has developed a lofty position from which to offer advice.

Having celebrated his 1,000th tour win in Brisbane a year ago, Federer was tickled by the idea of notching up his 300th in grand slams.

Last year Federer was ambushed in the third round by Italian Andreas Seppi, but he made no mistake this time at the same stage against Dimitrov. “It is not the first time it happens [sic] to me”. You know, I’m pleased.

Earlier, Maria Sharapova admitted her third-round win over Lauren Davis was tougher than it should have been after her roller-coaster performance.

But if Dimitrov is concerned that any ascension is taking longer than expected, he perhaps shouldn’t be – for even Federer concedes that it can be tough for younger stars to earn their big career break. The Serbian won the first set with a comfortable score-line of 6-1.

“But it’s important to win those matches maybe where you felt a little off”.

“While ruling nothing out as he advances at the Australian Open, the 17-time grand slam victor said that signs are not solid for his older girls to make a run for the racquet in coming years”.

Maria Sharapova, Belinda Benci and Agnieszka Radwanska are also in the fourth round, with the shocker of the day being the ousting of Roberta Vinci by Anna-Lena Friedsam.

Former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has advanced to the fourth round at Melbourne Park with a 6-4, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) win over fellow Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.