MELBOURNE: Four-time champion Roger Federer coasted into the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday before admitting that the hard work starts now.
The sixth-seeded Swiss crushed Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to make it through to the last 16 of a grand slam without dropping a set for the 27th time in his career.
Federer, 32, next plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who the Swiss beat over five tough sets in the Melbourne quarterfinals last year.
“This is clearly a tough draw,” Federer told reporters. “But the important thing now for me is just that I keep playing well and I don’t go crazy about who I play now.
“It’s just now up to me to bring it in the next match.”
Only two of Federer’s record 17 grand slam titles have come in the past four years, in Australia in 2010 and at Wimbledon in 2012.
Federer was barely troubled by Gabashvili, the world number 79, and though he knows he needs to lift his game, is happy with his form.
“I’m happy that I’m winning my matches in straight sets,” he said.
“It’s been different conditions every match. The heat first and the indoor match, and now normal conditions today with a bit of wind.
“So it’s just good to get through and get a good feel out there and make sure to win your matches easily if you have a chance. That’s what I was able to do today, so I’m pleased.”
Meanwhile, with Victoria Azarenka a class apart in her third-round win, Nadal stormed past France’s Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 to underline his challenge to Novak Djokovic’s three-year Melbourne reign.
Andy Murray, continuing his strong recovery from back surgery, was a convincing winner over Feliciano Lopez.
Murray gave a brief scare when he clutched his back in the first set but he moved unhindered thereafter to win 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-2 and move into the round of 16 without dropping a set.
Nadal will next face Japanese number one Kei Nishikori, who reeled off the last 10 games against Donald Young to end American interest in the men’s competition.
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov weathered Milos Raonic’s powerful serve to reach his first Grand Slam last 16, where he will face Roberto Bautista Agut, the Spanish surprise package who ousted Benoit Paire.
France’s Stephane Robert became the first “lucky loser” to reach the Australian Open fourth round when he beat Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. His prize is a match with Wimbledon champion Murray.
And in an all-French clash, 2008 finalist Tsonga ended the injury-defying run of Gilles Simon.
Meanwhile in the women’s draw, Azarenka destroyed hapless Austrian Yvonne Meusburger for the loss of just one game, winning 6-1, 6-0 to set up a rematch of last year’s semifinal with Sloane Stephens.
Stephens beat Elina Svitolina to progress and she said last year’s controversy, when Azarenka was accused of using a medical timeout to calm her nerves at a critical moment, would have no bearing.
Former champion Maria Sharapova, returning from a shoulder injury, faced down a challenge for a second successive match before beating France’s Alize Cornet 6-1, 7-6 (6).
Sharapova will next play Slovakian seed Dominika Cibulkova, who beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic won against Kurumi Nara to set up a meeting with Romanian Simona Halep.
But former world number one Caroline Wozniacki took a tumble when she was shocked by the unheralded Garbine Muzuruga, 20, who extended her best ever Grand Slam run.
Next up for the emerging Spanish star is Polish fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who came from a set down to oust Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. (Agencies)