Federer Moves on With 5-Set Victory

Jan 19, 03:22 PM

Federer, the tournament's top-seeded, three-time champion, outlasted the 49th-ranked Serb 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 in a match that lasted nearly 4 1/2 hours, longest of the Swiss star's career.

I don't often get to play five-setters unless they're against (Rafael) Nadal at Wimbledon, Federer said. It was good to be part of something like this.

Federer is seeking his 13th Grand Slam championship

Rain at Melbourne Park forced third-round matches indoors at the Rod Laver and Vodafone arenas.

American James Blake and Aussie Lleyton Hewitt also moved on with five-set victories.

Blake lost the first two sets but rallied to defeat Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. Hewitt also came from behind to overcome Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3.

Other third-round winners included Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Marin Cilic of Croatia.

Matches involving Spain's David Ferrer and Argentine David Nalbandian were postponed until Sunday. Federer Moves on With 5-Set Victory
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