Federer toils to beat Robredo in Melbourne

Roger Federer toiled in the sun for a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Spain’s Tommy Robredo, earning the Swiss master a spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Second seed Federer produced spells of jaw-dropping brilliance but also hit countless loose shots, mostly forehands, in a patchy performance on a sun-baked Rod Laver Arena.

The defending champion ripped through the first set in 32 minutes but a wild forehand gifted Robredo a break and another shanked shot the second set in a bizarre turnaround.

But Federer, looking to add to his record 16 grand slam titles, raised his game to take the third before closing out a tough match with a mid-court rocket Robredo could only dump into the net.