FEDERER SURVIVES

When he needed it the most, top-seeded Roger Federer found an extra gear to survive at the Australian Open.

There was never a letup in the tension of the 4½-hour match as Federer was forced repeatedly to rally before outlasting 49th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 on Saturday to advance to the fourth round of the tournament he has won the past two years.

Tipsarevic, who has never reached a singles final, played the match of his life and gave Federer everything he could handle with the packed crowd screaming on every point.

Federer, seeking his 13th Grand Slam crown, needed every one of his personal best 39 aces -- 14 more than his previous mark in one match -- to fend off the third-round challenge from the 2001 Australian Open junior champion.

Tipsarevic rallied from 15-40 while serving at 4-5 in the third set, then broke in the next game as Federer lost two aces to successful challenges by Tipsarevic, who then held for the set.

As he has done so often, Federer seemed to find an another level, running off five straight games to take the fourth set and even the match.

Tipsarevic refused to yield, saving two break points while serving at 2-2 in the deciding set, then a match point at 8-8 before Federer nailed a sharply angled backhand volley winner to take the last break. Federer held for the match when Tipsarevic netted a backhand to end it in 4 hours and 27 minutes.

Federer shouted in relief as he pumped his fist.

"What a great victory," he said.