Fight winner Federer

Men's No.1 seed Roger Federer has endured from a five-set thriller against determined Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, prevailing 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 5-7 6-1 10-8 in an extraordinary third round match at the Australian Open.

Federer, who has not lost in Melbourne since the 2005 semi-final against Marat Safin, looked destined for a shock early exit as a foot injury and a white-hot opponent threatened to derail his bid for an Australian Open hat-trick.

The Swiss master has made the past 14 Grand Slam semi-finals and is on track for number 15, just, after prevailing in the four hour and 27 minute match. His next opponent will be either Juan Monaco or Tomas Berdych.

Federer dropped a set at Melbourne Park for the first time since the 2006 Australian Open final, when Tipsarevic produced the shot of his life on set point during the opening tie-breaker. His cross-court backhand winner left Federer flat-footed and trailing a match at this venue for the first time since Marcos Baghdatis took a one-set lead in the 2006 decider.

Tipsarevic was even more determined in the second set, failing to concede his serve despite Federer having five opportunities to break him. But the three-time champion didn't give the world No 49 a look-in in the tie-breaker, winning it 7-1.

Federer looked to have regained the momentum when he broke early in the third, but Tipsarevic was getting right under his skin, battling back to level and it was apparent that the champion was in for the fight of his life.

The decisive moment came in the ninth game when Tipsarevic faced two set points on his serve and rallied back. In the next game, Federer lost his way, his serve and then allowed Tipsarevic to serve out for a two-sets-to-one lead with a 7-5 success in the third set.

Federer again got the important early break in the fourth, but this time was able to capitalise as Tipsarevic's spirit of adventure got the better of him. The Serb played a number of ill-advised drop shots, which Federer pounced on, and the match was levelled at two-sets apiece after just 33 minutes.
But Tipsarevic was not going to be overwhelmed, and took it to Federer again in the fifth set. The first 16 games of the decider went to serve before the champ came from 40-0 down on the Serb's serve to get the edge with his second break point. He then served it out for the match, taking his first second match point opportunity.