Federer cruises, Venus struggles and Baghdatis survives Day 4

Despite the rout, Santoro was ready to take on Federer again.

"Because it's so beautiful, what he's doing," said the 35-year-old Frenchman, who had only four unforced errors. "At my age, you can be able to play your match and appreciate your opponent, too.

"Today, I feel like he's coming from somewhere else. I served quite good. I was moving well. I was fit physically. I was hitting the ball well. And I won three games."

Federer won the last 10 games, ended it with a serve-and-volley as Santoro edged in almost to the service box. He clambered over the net to embrace the Frenchman.

Dictating play, Federer ended up with 53 winners and 18 unforced errors.

"Obviously I always enjoy the match against Fabrice," said Federer, chasing his third consecutive Australian Open title and his 13th major. "First time I played him, he totally dismantled me. Showed I had a lot of things to work on.

"Today I was in great shape, could play aggressive. We always have great rallies together, because of his playing style ... he does a great job of making you doubt. It's always a tricky match against him. But you know it's going to be fun. And this is what it's supposed to be, this game."

Williams looked stiff, sluggish and out of sorts, trudging back to the baseline in growing bewilderment as she sprayed balls all over the court. Clearly trying to win points quickly, she ventured to the net 39 times and often went for high-risk winners.

Pin pulled ahead 5-4 in the first set, only to see the American pull herself together long enough to take the last three games. Williams also ran off the last four games of the second set after falling behind 2-4.

"She's a real fighter ... really feisty," Williams said. She now plays No. 31 Sania Mirza of India, who ousted Timea Bacsinszky.

Second-ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova, a former U.S. Open champion, rallied from 5-2 down in the first set to win in straight sets against Tsvetana Pironkova. Other seeded players advancing were No. 4 Ana Ivanovic, No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, No. 9 Daniela Hantuchova and No. 14 Nadia Petrova.

Joining Federer in the third round were No. 3 Novak Djokovic, No. 5 David Ferrer, No. 7 Fernando Gonzalez, No. 10 David Nalbandian, No. 12 James Blake, No. 13 Tomas Berdych and former No. 1-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Nalbandian, who beat Federer and second-ranked Rafael Nadal to win consecutive tournaments in Paris and Madrid last October, had a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-1 win over Australian Peter Luczak.