Oz Open: Federer charges into third round

Melbourne: Roger Federer imperiously took his place in the Australian Open third round with a straight sets demolition of hapless Romanian Victor Hanescu on Thursday.

Watched by Britain`s Prince William in the official box, the world`s number one ripped through the 47th-ranked Hanescu in just one hour 39 minutes, winning 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Federer, bidding for his 16th Grand Slam title and fourth Australian Open here over the next fortnight, will now play Spanish 31st-seed Albert Montanes in Saturday`s third round. "I`m used to it because I play a lot of primetime matches where there are very important people watching," Federer said. "This one tonight was obviously extremely special. It`s a pleasure, of course, playing in front of him. "It was a big honour that he came to watch me." It was a stunning set of statistics for Federer in Thursday`s match. He broke Hanescu`s serve five times and didn`t drop his own serve, while hitting 52 winners, 28 of them with the forehand. Federer dominated the match points 96 to 64. "I`m happy the way I played today," Federer said. "The opponent was very different to the one I played in the first round. "He played much more on the baseline, so there was many more half volleys and the rallies were shorter. "So it was different kind of a match. Got off to a good start and kind of never looked back. Moved well and played some amazing shots. It was great." Hanescu has still to take a set off Federer in their four meetings as the Swiss legend stepped up a gear after his muddling opening round performance against Russian Igor Andreev on Tuesday. His opening set loss to Andreev was the first time he had dropped a set in a first round Grand Slam match since the 2003 US Open. Federer made his intentions known from the outset, breaking Hanescu`s opening service and again in the eighth game to take the set in 34 minutes. The Swiss great strolled through the second set, reeling off another service break in the eighth game to take a 2-0 sets lead. He broke Hanescu in his opening two service games of the final set to coast to victory in quick time. "Today I was willing to go for more points and rallies where I decided not to miss and only go for it if I`m perfectly set up," he said. "I think the tactic worked tonight. For the next round opponent, I definitely have to adjust my tactics again." The latest victory his Australian Open record to 49-7 as he competes in his 41st consecutive Grand Slam tournament. Federer is on track to face either former finalists, Lleyton Hewitt or Marcos Baghdatis, in the fourth round and a potential quarter-final with Russian sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko. He has missed playing in only one of the last 18 Grand Slam finals and bookmakers have again installed him the favourite to win here. Last year, he finally broke through at Roland Garros, clinching the French Open at his 11th attempt and followed up with a sixth Wimbledon crown in seven years. He became the all-time Grand Slam leader in men`s tennis in the process, passing the 14 won by American Pete Sampras, while retrieving the number one ranking off Rafael Nadal. Bureau Report