Roger relieved to break his 'mirror'

MELBOURNE - Defending champion Roger Federer reached the third round of the Australian Open for a 20th straight year on Wednesday, but admitted it had been tough to get past his "mirror image" Dan Evans.

Britain's world No 189 slowed the Fed Express to a crawl, keeping the Swiss master battling for more than two hours to win the opening two sets before finally succumbing 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 6-3.

Federer, the ageless 20-time Grand Slam champion who is gunning for a record seventh Melbourne Park title and third in a row, said he was given an unusual challenge by the 28-year-old, who plays a similar style of tennis.