Roger Federer to play only Aussie left in Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia -- His tennis attire now splashed with pink, Roger Federer was trying to recruit support for his next match.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem. Federer is one of the most popular athletes in Australia, where he has won four of his 17 Grand Slam titles.

The only problem is this: His 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Nikolay Davydenko last night set Federer on course for a third-round match against Bernard Tomic, the last remaining Australian in the men's or women's draws.

Tomic, 20, beat German qualifier Daniel Brands, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8), keeping his cool on a long, searing day in which temperatures hit 106 degrees.

Federer praised Tomic for the crowd and later said he won't mind for whom or how loud fans are cheering tomorrow.

"I don't think it matters whether he's the last Australian or 10 more," Federer said. "There's always excitement about Aussies playing here. I played him here last year. The crowd was great. I expect something similar. If it's not, if it's totally for him, that's fine, too. I'm always excited when the crowd gets into it."

Federer has added a few flashes of color for the year's opening Grand Slam event -- neon pink shoelaces and trim on the back of his shoes, on the V-neck of his shirt and the swoosh on his headband.

"I like to play around with colors," he said. "Fresh start to a new year.''

Djokovic gains. Top-seeded Novak Djokovic reached the fourth round today with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 win over Radek Stepanek. In women's third-round matches, fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 5 Angelique Kerber and No. 6 Li Na advanced in straight sets. Marion Bartoli, the 11th seed, lost in three sets to No. 19 Ekaterina Makarova.