Roger Federer hopes his daughters don’t become tennis stars – preferring them

He’ll next play 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat fellow Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4).

“But there’s always a danger”. It always felt somewhat surreal to have him support me and be there for me.

The world number one beat No. 90-ranked Taiwanese 6-1, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena, as she seeks a record-equalling 22nd major title.

Federer’s only wobble came early, when he surrendered serve in the sixth game of the first set, but he responded by winning six straight games to leave the Georgian reeling.

American teenager Noah Rubin became the first man ranked outside number 300 to beat a seed in five years after he took out Benoit Paire 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5).

Fernando Verdasco withdrew from the Australian Open doubles competition Friday, three days after beating 14-time major victor Rafael Nadal in the first round of the singles tournament and a day after his own exit in the second round.Verdasco beat Nadal in 4 hours, 41 minutes on Tuesday, then lost to Dudi Sela in four sets on Thursday.

A very entertaining contest awaits in the second round as Roger Federer plays the talented Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Williams was on course for a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2015 with wins here and at the French Open and Wimbledon before a semifinal loss at the U.S. Open to Roberta Vinci of Italy.

Hsieh, the world No90, did her best to get Williams running, even throwing in the odd drop-shot return of serve.

His daughters are in attendance at the Australian Open, and he said they were more interested in their books than watching their dad on the court.

The Swiss all-time Grand Slam record holder said he could not see any of his four kids playing on Rod Laver Arena at a future Australian Open.

Defending champions and top-ranked Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic had matches scheduled for the same time later Friday. “Obviously it’s not an easy match, but I feel that I’ve been playing good and have quite a few matches behind my back already”, Dimitrov said. “I was able to stay in it and stay calm today and I think that’s what matters most”.

Roger Federer started his bid for a fifth Australian title with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in a night match, following Williams and Djokovic on the center court.

It will be humid though and I really don’t fancy the chances of David Goffin in these sorts of conditions, with the Belgian clearly having struggled here in Melbourne in the past.

Dimitrov likely poses the bigger threat as the No. 27 seed, but Federer has dominated him throughout his career.

“I mean, I think it’s a wonderful place, the tennis tour, otherwise I wouldn’t be on it”.

“Yeah, I watch it every day”, deadpanned Williams, when asked if she had seen a recording of the match. No 22 Ivo Karlovic retired due to a left knee injury while trailing Federico Delbonis 7-6 (4), 6-4, 2-1.

The second set was more competitive, reaching 5-5, but then a couple of fatal errors from Dolgopolov and Federer broke.

Dimitrov reached the third round after he defeated Marco Trungelliti 6-3 4-6 6-2 7-5.