Federer too good for Safin

World No 2 brushes aside former champion; Kleybanova upsets fifth seed Ivanovic

Roger Federer stayed on track for a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title when he swatted aside former champion Marat Safin in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday. The anticipated clash of tennis juggernauts failed to materialise as the Swiss totally dominated the match between former world number ones to win 6-3,6-2,7-6 under floodlights.

Later,the Russian spoke of this being his last Australian Open. I dont like this bye-bye part, he said with a shrug. Its just a sad story. It’s not for me. I prefer to leave this way,quietly,nice,with a great match. Unfortunately,I couldnt do better than that.

Federer will next meet Tomas Berdych after the Czech beat Switzerlands Stanislas Wawrinka.

Alisa Kleybanova produced the best match of her career to upset last years runner-up Ana Ivanovic 7-5,6-7,6-2 in the third round. The 19-year-old Muscovite hit freely throughout her match under floodlights to set up a fourth-round clash with Australias Jelena Dokic,who had moments earlier upset 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki.

Its just great to play one of the matches like this. It was definitely the best match in my career so far, Kleybanova told reporters. Im so happy that I pulled through,because it was not just a win. I really felt that I played almost my best tennis today. At the end of the first set I really found myself in the court and on the game, Kleybanova said. I started to play much better. Then I was able to finish the first set. After the first set,I really felt that I can go forward and just try to stay in the match and play until I can win it.

Serb champion Novak Djokovic defeated Bosnian-born Amer Delic 6-2,4-6,6-3,7-6 even as violence broke out in Melbourne.

Jelena Dokic knocked out 11th seed Dane Caroline Wozniacki 3-6,6-1,6-2 to continue her fairytale tournament. World number three Dinara Safina hit her way into the last 16 by beating Kaia Kanepi 6-2,6-2. She plays Alize Cornet next after the Frenchwoman beat Slovakias Daniela Hantuchova.

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Nadia Petrova sauntered through in double-quick time when injured Galina Voskoboeva quit after losing the first set 6-1. She plays compatriot Vera Zvonareva next. Top seed Jelena Jankovic advanced after overcoming Japans Ai Sugiyama 6-4,6-4 in a baseline tussle. The Serbian will next play Frances Marion Bartoli,who beat Lucie Safarova in three sets.

In the mens draw,seventh seed Andy Roddick beat Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-3,6-4,6-2 and 11th seed David Ferrer lost to Croatias Marin Cilic 7-6,6-3,6-4.