After a slight scare against Simon, Roger Federer strolled over his third-round Belgian opponent, Xavier Malisse, with a 6-3 6-3 6-1 victory in the Australian Open.

The world number two rallied back from 3-1 down in the second set to win 10 games in a row to set up the win in about 105 minutes. The world No.2 will next face Tommy Robredo who beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in his third round tie.

Federer galloped into a 4-0 lead in the first set and served out to take the set, despite being broken once.

Malisse started the second determined to get back into the game. He broke Federer early to take a 3-1 lead. However, Federer stepped up a gear and won 10 games in a row to take the second 6-3.

From there on, Federer was barely threatened as Malisse was not given even a sniff of a comeback. The Belgian was so desperate that he bowed to the crowd in mock after finally taking a game.

After the win, Federer said, I am still happy I passed the test against Simon.Today wasn't a whole lot easier although the scoreline might suggest it.

Elsewhere, third seed Djokovic progressed after his third-round opponent Viktor Troicki retired with a stomach problem. Djokovic had won the first set 6-2 in 39 minutes when Troicki, who is his Davis Cup team-mate for Serbia, announced his withdrawal.

Djokovic was saddened by situation and said, It's not the way you want to win a match, especially against one of your best friends.

The third seed will play Spain's Nicolas Almagro in the fourth round after he progressed with a 6-4 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 win against Ivan Ljubicic.

Sixth seed Berdych was another who strolled into the fourth-round with a fine 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 victory over France's Richard Gasquet. Bedych will next face the winner of the late-match between ninth seed Fernando Verdasco and Japan's Kei Nishikori.