Melbourne (AFP)

Roger Federer, 3rd world, qualified Wednesday for the 3rd round of the Australian Open by dismissing 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 the Serbian Filip Krajinovic (41st), weakened by a pain in the right elbow .

"It's a very good start to the season," said the 38-year-old Swiss. "I am very relaxed off the court and I have worked a lot in the offseason.

Federer, who was playing his second game of the season, was only slightly threatened in the second set when he lost his throw-in. But he quickly broke down and finished the game without a hitch.

The advice given to Krajinovic the previous evening by his illustrious compatriot Novak Djokovic was therefore largely insufficient.

The weather conditions on Monday meant that if Federer could have played under the roof of the Rod Laver Arena, Krajinovic had to play his first round on Tuesday and it took him almost four hours to qualify in 5 sets before playing again in stride without a day of rest.

"I thought about it a bit (at the end of the match), it's true and I thought it was not fair," said Federer, admitting that he had not hesitated to grasp it, however. the opportunity to close the match.

In the next round, he will find Australian John Millman (47th), who beat him in 8th at the US Open in 2018.

"I almost passed out that day because it was so hot in New York!" Recalled Federer.

© 2020 AFP