Australian Open 2018: Roger Federer charges into a record 14th quarter-final in Melbourne

What's the story?

There isn't much that Roger Federer cannot do on a tennis court. In a career spanning almost two decades, the Swiss maestro has accomplished all that there is to accomplish in the sport and more. Rather unsurprisingly, the 36-year-old broke another record as he made it to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne today.

Federer beat Hungarian tennis player Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-2 and as a result of the win, made it to his 14th Australian Open quarter-final, a record in the modern era. This will also be his 52nd grand slam quarter-final appearance, a record once again that few will ever come close to conquering.

.@rogerfederer defeats Marton Fucsovics 6-4 7-6 6-2 to reach his 14th quarterfinal at the #AusOpen and record 52nd grand slam quarterfinal - the most reached by a mens singles player in the Open era.

Next he faces Tomas Berdych. #AllezRoger pic.twitter.com/XxEVbQ3xpi
— Roger Federer Live (@FedererLive) January 22, 2018

In case you didn't know...

Roger Federer has won the Australian Open five times already, the latest being just last year, making him the defending champion. If recent form is anything to go by, Roger looks set to successfully retain his crown.

The heart of the matter

The Swiss star has looked in indomitable form at the Australian Open not having dropped a set yet in the Grand Slam and having booked a place in the last 8. Twitter was on fire following Federer's record-breaking and needless to say, many were in awe of perhaps tennis' greatest ever performer.

Roger Federer remains the only player in the Men's draw to reach the Quarter Finals without dropping a set!
Allez Rog!! 🙌#Federer #AusOpen
— Anuradha_RF_LP 🎾 🎶 (@ann_ac22) January 22, 2018

Episode 4 of 7 ✌🏻️🇨🇭 #federer #AU20PEN pic.twitter.com/17lnHq364y
— Brian (@camerlengo73) January 22, 2018

Defending Champ #Federer is through to yet another #AUSOpen QF. He hasn't dropped a set yet👌In redhot form! #Berdych up next.. The ageless #RogerFederer 👏
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) January 22, 2018

#Federer into last 8 of a Slam without dropping a set...

🇦🇺 05, 07, 12, 13, 14, 18

🇫🇷 05, 07, 10, 11

🇬🇧 04, 06, 07, 08, 14, 16, 17

🇺🇸 06, 10, 12, 15#AusOpen
— Joshua Kay (@js_kay) January 22, 2018

"Some people are artists. Some, themselves, are art" #Federer pic.twitter.com/bXuoiTGim8
— nineteen grand slam singles titles. (@NatyMercury_RF) January 22, 2018

Game, Set and Match! Roger Federer😉

He moves to the QFs after beating Marton #Fucsovics in straight sets. 6-4 7-6 6-2#Federer #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/iyKghN08c6
— Suama ∞ (@suamax88) January 22, 2018

Day or night, afternoon or evening, there isn't whole lot that's going to trouble Roger #Federer. With another straights sets win, he moves into his 52nd major quarterfinal. #sick
— Mikhail (@FedexMahindra18) January 22, 2018

What an incredible human @rogerfederer is #AusOpen2018 #Federer #fedexpress
— Brooke Walker (@brookee_07) January 22, 2018

So #Federer has reached as many QF of the #GrandSlams as #McEnroe and #Edberg combined. https://t.co/TIJEhhyz3S
— Scott Morissey (@sportsscott) January 22, 2018

What's next?

Federer's comprehensive path to the business end of the year's first Grand Slam will face a stern test in the last 8 as he takes on an old rival in Czech Tomas Berdych. Their encounter will be an interesting and, perhaps, a more challenging one for the Swiss.

Author's take

The sheer star power of Federer is astonishing enough, and the fact that despite injuries and an ageing body he still continues to play at such a high level truly makes him one in a million. Hats off to this tennis superstar.