rogerfederer.com - Next up: James Blake

Next up: James Blake

Roger advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a clear, straight set win over Tomas Berdych on Monday: 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3.

Roger only won 20 more points than his Czech opponent throughout the match, but won the ones that mattered most. He convincingly won the opener but slipped 3-0 down in the second before breaking back to force a tiebreak. The Czech led 5-2 in the tiebreak and squandered two set points, netting a terrible drop shot at 6-5 and sending a forehand long at 7-6 before Roger won it 9-7. Our star then eased through the third set in convincing style and sealed victory in just under two hours.

"He was playing better (than me) in the second set, honestly," Roger said in a courtside interview. "He got an early lead, then played well in the breaker. In the end, maybe he made a wrong shot selection. It's unfortunate for him, but jeez, it's good for me to win in straight sets."

Roger now meets American James Blake in the quarter finals.