Federer seeks Edberg advice ahead of Murray Melbourne showdown

Sport360 staff 20:01 20/01/2014
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  • Helping hand: Federer plans to utilise the advice of coach Stefan Edberg.

    Roger Federer is planning to tap coach Stefan Edberg's deep well of experience to try some new things in his quarter-final showdown with Andy Murray at the Australian Open.

    The record 17-time Grand Slam champion cruised into the last eight at the year's opening Slam with a consummate straight-sets victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday.

    The Swiss great, seeded six, rolled back the years as he swept past the French 10th seed 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in one hour 52 minutes in an evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

    Federer has now reached his 11th consecutive quarter-final in Melbourne and equalled the record of 41 Slam quarters with American Jimmy Connors as he set up a rematch of last year's semi-final which Murray won in five sets.

    Federer, who is working with the six-time Grand Slam champion Edberg for 10 weeks, said he will draw on the Swede's knowledge to devise tactics for the match with Wimbledon champion Murray.

    "It's not going to hurt. Yeah, it could be very helpful. We'll talk about it a little bit about the Murray match," he said.

    "It's just a different perspective. He did things his way back in the day and you can take so many things from his experience.

    "I want to maybe try out a few things that worked for him and try out a few things that he thinks would work out for me this time around.

    "Sure, we'll discuss it, assess it, but he's here now more for just support, making me feel comfortable, giving me right advice, pre-match, post-match, discussing it with Severin Luthi my coach."

    Federer's quarter-final with Tsonga went to five sets in last year's Australian Open but the Swiss sixth seed was always in command with his aggressive display, dominating the net exchanges.

    Federer broke Tsonga's service three times, and only had one break point against his own serve. He won 88 percent of his first-serve points and more than twice the number of winners (43) than errors (21), in a clinical performance.

    Federer also won 34 of the 41 net points, illustrating his plan to take the game to Tsonga.

    "I thought I played really well tonight and clearly against Jo-Willy you have to bring your best game because he dictates play and I thought I did well dictating a lot of the plays," Federer said.

    "Jo makes you play an aggressive game because if you don't he'll come and it's tough to pass him. 

    "Tactics worked well and we spoke about it before the match. I don't go unprepared into matches like I used to."

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