MELBOURNE - Roger Federer crushed young Australian Bernard Tomic 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion marched to a clinical 118-minute victory and crushed the hopes of the host nation. Federer broke the 20-year-old Tomic in the first game of the match, ending a run of 76 consecutive service games held by Tomic.

Tomic came within two points of winning the second set, but second seed Swiss saw off the challenge and closed out the match with a monster serve.

Four-time winner at the Melbourne Park Federer also beat Tomic in the fourth round of last year's tournament.

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their men's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 19, 2013.[Photo/Agencies]