Tennis news - Roger Federer secures comfortable straight-sets win over Taylor Fritz to reach last 16

Federer won 6-2 7-5 6-2 in a comprehensive outing in 88 minutes under the roof at the Rod Laver Arena.

"I wanted to get out of the blocks quickly," the 37-year-old said on court afterwards following his 100th match at the Australian Open. "I was aware of the threat of Taylor and the velocity of his serve. I had to really focus today to make sure I got off to a good start.

"The second set was tight, it was tough. He protected the serve well, we had some tough points and it was close at the end.

It is a record 17th time that he has reached the last 16 in Melbourne, and he will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place in the quarter-finals after he came through in four sets against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was far from his best in overcoming Dan Evans in the second round, but he needed just 21 minutes to take the first set, landing an early blow to break the American in the third game.

The seven-time winner powered his way through the second set despite a valiant effort from Fritz, as Federer served up a delicious ace to move him to within a set of reaching the last 16.

The number three seed then secured an early break following a 16-shot rally, clinching a second break to dash any hopes of a comeback and breeze through.