Roger Federer was in cruise control as he beat number 31 seed Albert Montanes on Saturday, but despite the straight sets win, the Swiss insisted it was a tougher match than it looked.

Federer made light work of Montanes at Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4 to book his place in the fourth round where he will face either Lleyton Hewitt or Marcos Baghdatis, who were scheduled to take to the court in Saturday's evening session.

“Victories don't come easy," said Federer after his win. "If you look at today's match ... it looks straightforward. If you're on the other side of the planet you think, okay, no problems whatsoever.

“But it was a tough match. I had to battle through, and there was tough moments and frustrating moments out there. They don't come easy, those victories.”

It was a routine win for Federer, who remains 5/2 favourite to win the Men's singles. Montanes offered little resistance and never came close to breaking Federer's serve, let alone preventing anything other than a straight sets defeat.

Federer added: “I don't want to say I'm playing the best tennis of my life, because I haven't had to so far.

"[It] depends how you're being pushed and how the opponent is playing ... Obviously you'll elevate your game gradually as the opponents get harder."

On paper, his next round match should be harder.

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