Roger Federer continued his reign as master of the night at the Australian Open as the second seed won his third match of the tournament under the lights with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 defeat of Canadian Milos Raonic on Monday.
Federer routed the 22-year-old big-hitter in just under two hours for his fourth win without a defeat against an opponent whom he defeated three times in 2012. Federer played and won his third straight match under the lights at Melbourne Park.
He next plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals.
“It was cold maybe that helped me,” joked Federer, who put on a t-shirt to ward off the chill. “I tried to anticipate (the serve) — and get a feel for it.
“I got better of that as the match went on. It was a big win for me, I’m happy with how I played.” Federer broke in the first game of the third set to keep Raonic on the back foot and closed out victory on a second match point as he landed a return in the empty court.
“I played a great first game of the third set. With a lead you get a better feel for everything, but I had to play that first game well.
“It’s important to stay focused, it pays off in the end.” Raonic donated the opening set as he produced a double-fault, which the experienced Federer calmly converted for a winner and a 6-4 advantage as he crushed a backhand for a winner.
The second set went to a tiebreaker, which Federer clinched at 7-4.
