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Day 6 - (2) Roger Federer (SUI) v Bernard Tomic
Head-to-head
| Federer owns Tomic to date – he leads their head-to-head battle 3-0, including a straight-sets win here in the fourth-round last year. | Tomic has taken just one set off Federer in their three previous meetings, but you get the feeling that he is better prepared for this match than he was for any of their previous encounters. |
Will win if...
| He takes charge. Expect Federer to take control early in an attempt to unsettle Tomic. If it works, this match will be over quickly. | He plays the match of his life. Simple as that – everything has to go to plan for Tomic if he’s to win. |
Heading in...
| Not a lot can be taken from Federer’s first two matches of 2013 – both relatively straightforward straight-sets wins. So far the second seed has looked sharp, but you get the sense he’s just warming up. | Yet to lose in 2013, Tomic has won 10 straight matches leading into tonight’s encounter. Three straight in Perth, coupled with his first ATP title in Sydney, and two wins here have given Tomic the perfect start to the season. |
Look out for...
| Federer’s forehand. One of the best shots in tennis, the Swiss legend wields his racquet much like a great painter commands a brush. | Tomic’s serve. Once a criticism of his game, Tomic’s serve has improved out of sight and he’s now winning loads of free points off it. |
Know this stat
| 878-198. One of the most experienced players on tour, Federer’s win-loss ratio is a constant reminder of his achievements on court. | 52-51. Tomic, on the other hand, barely breaks even. There is a long way to go if he’s to even come close to Federer’s legacy. |
X-factor
| The crowd. Melbourne loves Roger, so don’t be surprised if he receives just as much support as the local hope. | Variety. Tomic’s game is built on changing the pace of the ball, switching direction and throwing in drop shots. He’ll need all of this and more working for him if he’s to pull off what will be the greatest win of his career to date. |