Federer stung into action at Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer was at his problem-solving best as he overcame a swollen finger to bounce back after losing the first set and run through Italian Simone Bolelli at the Australian Open Wednesday.

Second seed Federer, chasing his fifth Australian Open title, won 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 2hr 9min and will next play either Frenchman Jeremy Chardy or Italy´s Andreas Seppi in the third round.

The 17-time Swiss Grand Slam champion, who developed a mystery swollen finger during the contest, lost the opening set after the only break on his serve, but he found a solution and swept through the next three sets.

Bolelli made 39 unforced errors as Federer ramped up the pressure to break the Italian´s service five times.

Federer changed tactics to attack the net to great effect.

Federer, who claimed his 1,000th Tour match in winning this month´s Brisbane International, has a reputation for figuring his way out of trouble in his matches.

Federer has always made the third round in 16 attempts in Melbourne and has reached the semi-final stage for the last 11 Australian Opens.

The Swiss legend was non-plussed by a swollen finger that may have been caused by a bee sting. (AFP)