GOOD SIGNS

Roger Federer has put on another masterful display on a court he has come to dominate in recent years, knocking out the ever-dangerous Marat Safin in straight sets to move through to the fourth round of Australian Open 2009.

Billed as the match of the tournament so far – and a rematch of their famous semifinal at Australian Open 2005 which Safin clinched 9-7 in the fifth set – the encounter didn’t live up to the hype, with the world No. 2 progressing comfortably.

The only time Federer was truly challenged was in the tight third set, but three-time Open champion hung tough to triumph 6-3 6-2 7-6(5), and said it was a pleasing performance.