Federer 46 winners 20 unforced errors - 26 of 30 at the net.
Tomic was a bit nervous serving in the first game and got broken, which was enough for Federer to take the set as he was flawless on his own serve.
Second set was quite exciting and close, with Federer having break points in almost every Tomic service game but he couldn't break because mostly because Tomic served clutch when *break* points down, though Federer also played a couple of weak returns on a couple of second serve chances he had. Again, Federer's serving was impeccable, so it went to a tiebreak, where Tomic started well, ahead a mini-break at 4-1 and at 5-3. But Federer really stepped it up, especially defensively, and Tomic got impatient in the rallies and Federer seized his chances and came back to take the tiebreaker 7-5.
That was pretty much it. Federer broke twice more in the third set as Tomic gave way and got breadsticked, 6-1.
It was a cool evening (starting around 69 F. or so), and as the night wore on Federer had to go to wearing the undergarment to keep his back from stiffening up. But he got it done. Tomic is improved from last year, and played much more aggressively (even a tad reckless at times) but he is still not good enough with Federer playing well. Even if he would have snatched the second set, I think Federer would have taken the next two anyway as Tomic looked tired.
Raonic up next for Federer. Federer still hasn't been broken. If he continues like this, I think he'll beat Raonic in no worse than 4 sets. Raonic has given Federer a tough battle all 3 times he has played him, but Federer has always come out on top with a lot of tiebreakers.
For Raonic to win, I can't see him breaking Federer. I think he'll have to take 3 tiebreakers - possible, but a very tall order.
That's how I saw it... And yes, as General Hercules says, Tomic still has to improve his movement somehow to be a threat to the top tier of players.
Respectfully,
masterclass
