MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) Roger Federer has avenged his 2005 semifinal defeat to Marat Safin with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win over the Russian in the third round at the Australian Open.
Federer's victory keeps alive his quest for a record-tying 14th Grand Slam singles title.
In the tiebreaker, Safin was called for a foot fault on his second serve, giving Federer a 4-1 lead. The Russian player complained to the chair umpire about the timing of such a call, to no avail.
In 2005, Safin beat Federer in the semis at Melbourne Park and went on to defeat Lleyton Hewitt in the final.