Federer, Kerber Cautious on AUS Open Tie-Break Rules

Federer, Kerber Cautious on AUS Open Tie-Break Rules

By: Francis Joseph

Star players Roger Federer and Angelique Kerber have cautiously welcomed new tie-break rules for the deciding set at the Australian Open.

The year's opening Grand Slam, starting 14 January, will for the first time feature an extended tie-break in the final set when the score reaches 6-6, rather than a traditional full set.

To win the decisive tie-break, a player will need to be the first to 10 with an advantage of at least two points.

"We will miss the 70-68 in the fifth, so that's a pity," Federer said, referring to the famous final-set marathon between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.

But Federer, aiming for his third successive Australian Open title and seventh overall, said he was personally "a bit torn" between the options.

"I am okay with any format really," he said. "Thing is, when it goes to six-all in the fifth, you've had plenty of chances to win it, or lose it, so from that standpoint how it ends is secondary in my opinion."

Kerber -- who has based her game on superior physical fitness – suggested her advantage could be diluted by shortened deciders in Melbourne, where she won her first Slam in 2016.

"I like physical matches and if you come here to Australia you have be really fit," she said. "With the weather, the conditions, it's really hot and humid and you have to ready for that.

"I have no idea if I like (the new rule) or not, we will see."