Federer maintains perfect Melbourne second-round record

Roger Federer maintained his perfect record in Australian Open second-round matches, beating Dan Evans in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The Swiss great was tested before claiming a 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 victory during a high quality two hours, 35 minutes on a cool and windy Rod Laver Arena.

Federer, the two-time defending champion, has never lost before the third round in the main draw at the year's first grand slam, improving to 19-0 in second-round encounters.

But the 20-time grand slam winner was pushed in a tight opening set that proved to be a huge missed opportunity for qualifier Evans.

The Brit saved a set point in the 12th game – rain having briefly led to a delay earlier in the set – and then took a surprise 5-3 lead in the tie-break.

But a pair of missed volleys would hurt Evans, who gave up four straight points to lose the opening set.

He needed treatment on blisters on his feet at the end of the set before giving up serve in the opening game.

Federer seemed to be in cruise control before being suddenly broken in the 10th game, Evans ripping a backhand cross-court pass to make it 5-5.

But the third seed was once more too good in the tie-break on his way to a two-sets-to-love lead.

Evans continued to fight, but he sent a forehand long on break point in the fourth game to give Federer a 3-1 lead the Swiss great would not relinquish.