MELBOURNE, Australia – In the same half of a Grand Slam singles draw for the first time since 2005, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are taking similar paths to a potential semifinal matchup at the Australian Open.
On the women’s side, defending champion Kim Clijsters also advanced to the fourth round.
Neither the four-time Australian champion Federer nor 2009 titleholder Nadal have dropped a set, although Federer’s path has been made easier by a walkover win in the second round.
The longtime rivals played back-to-back matches at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. Nadal, his right knee still taped from a recent injury, showed no problems while moving briskly around the court in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Lukas Lacko.
Federer followed in the marquee matinee program by beating Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-3, saving a set point in the tiebreaker with a scrambling lob over the 6-foot-10 Croatian.
“He gave me a second serve and gave me a slight chance,” Federer said. “Might have had a little bit of a lucky volley. …”
Karlovic agreed.
“It was unlucky … one in a 100 that I’m going to lose that point,” Karlovic said. “I didn’t really expect him to do that. I was there, I
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