Scores and highlights from Day 5 of the Australian Open 2011. First up: Third-round play from the men’s draw.
• No. 2 Roger Federer def. Xavier Malisse, 6-3 6-3 6-1.
So much for Federer’s certain demise when faced with a wildly overmatched opponent! The defending Australian Open champ (hey, remember that?) dispatched the Belgian in straight sets with barely an eyelash flutter (except those he saved for the cameras, bien sûr). Federer draws the unseeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo in Round 4.
• No. 3 Novak Djokovic def. Viktor Troicki, 6-2 (Ret.)
Djokovic had an even easier time than Federer, as countryman and pal Troicki retired after one set, still suffering the lingering effects of a strained stomach muscle. That’s not to say he was happy about it:
Australian Open 2011 Tennis Results, Day 5: Roger Federer Back In Form; Andy Roddick Rides His Aces
It’s not the way you want to win a match, especially against one of your best friends,” he said.
Next up for Djokovic: No. 14 Nicolas Almagro of Spain.
• No. 6 Tomas Berdych def. No. 28 Richard Gasquet, 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
Berdych has crashed out in the fourth round three of the past four years at the Australian Open. His chances in 2011 don’t look much sunnier, not with Fernando Verdasco as his next opponent.
• No. 8 Andy Roddick def. Robin Haase, 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2.
Quick scare in the first set? What, Andy Roddick worry? 32 aces (and an injured ankle for Haase) cleared the way for a third consecutive fourth-round berth for America’s True Sweetheart (wait your turn, Melanie Oudin). His opponent: the menacing No. 29 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.
• No. 9 Fernando Verdasco def. Kei Nishikori, 6-2 6-4 6-3.
Ho-hum. The winner of the day’s most uninteresting match will meet Berdych, winner of the day’s second most uninteresting match. Moving right along.
• No. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka def. No. 12 Gael Monfils, 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-3.
Our favorite hair of the tournament (freestyle division) falls in straight sets to a dude known to wear fauxhawks? Gross. Wawrinka’s never cracked the fourth round here since turning pro in 2002; look for Andy Roddick to at least slow his roll in the next match.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more results and highlights from Day 5 of the 2011 Australian Open.
