Federer Survives Scare

“It was good to be part of something like this.”

Top-ranked Roger Federer had a stunningly tough fight for survival against Janko Tipsarevic before rallying for a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 victory at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Tipsarevic, ranked 49th and having never reached a singles final, played the match of his life and gave Federer everything he could handle with the packed crowd screaming on every point.

Federer, who is seeking his third straight title here and 13th Grand Slam crown, needed every one of his personal-best 39 aces to fend off the third-round challenge from the 2001 boys champion at Melbourne Park in 4 hours and 27 minutes. Read more