Defending champion Roger Federer cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-3 7-6 victory over Russia's Mikhail Youzhny at the Rod Laver Arena.
The top seed, yet to drop a set in the tournament, took just over two hours to dispose of the 25th seed at the Rod Laver Arena.
Federer squandered three match points during the third set tie-break but closed out the match at the fourth attempt to continue his march in Melbourne.
Federer will meet 14th seed Novak Djokovic in the fourth round after the Serbian downed Thailand's Danai Udonchoke 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-1.
The 19-year-old Djokovic insists he will approach playing the world number one in a positive frame of mind.
He said: 'If I go with the white flag on the court, what am I doing here?
'I have nine wins in a row now, but that doesn't mean if I play Federer that I'm going to stop here, that I'm already giving up.
'I will do everything to win. I'm going to be motivated, that's for sure.'
'I beat Djokovic twice last year in the Davis Cup and at Monaco. He's definitely improved since,’ said Federer.
He added: 'He's came through his rounds fairly comfortably. Seems like he is playing pretty good. It's a dangerous match for me, that's for sure.'
Also advancing was American Mardy Fish, who went through after Australia's Wayne Arthurs retired from their third match while trailing 3-0 in the opening set.
The home favourite left the court in tears to a standing ovation.
At least one other big name will be bounced today with a highly-anticipated night match between former world number ones Andy Roddick and Marat Safin.
After an injury-hit 2006, the moody Safin slid down the rankings and is only seeded 26 here, but he plays his best tennis in Melbourne and Roddick will be wary.
In his last four trips Down Under, the big Russian has been champion and runner-up twice, missing his title defence last year with a knee injury.
The pair are 3-3 in head-to-head matches.
‘When I saw the draw I expected to play Marat,’ Roddick said. ‘I think we're both maybe better than a third-round match-up against each other.
‘But that's the way it shakes out. You know, we both have to deal with it.’
