Federer cracks up fans in funny victory speech

A "mediocre" answer from Roger Federer turned into a moment of hilarity after the Swiss star's third round win against Richard Gasquet on Saturday night.

The defending champion cruised through to the second week of the Australian Open, defeating Frenchman Gasquet in straight sets.

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Federer will face unseeded Hungarian Marton Fuscovics in the round of 16 after dispatching 29th seed Gasquet 6-2 7-5 6-4 on Saturday evening in just under two hours.

While the action on court was relatively short, Federer saved some trademark moments for his post-match interview with Channel 7 commentator Jim Courier.

Federer admitted his long-winded answer to Courier's first question about what got him across the line wasn't one of his best.

"It was a mediocre answer. It was a great match though," Courier joked to the 19-time grand slam champion.

Federer continued to speak about where he thought his game was at and how he was progressing through the tournament.

Courier then decided it was time to stitch the Swiss legend up by asking him to show the crowd about a new look Federer had apparently been working on.

The American commentator was referring to a tweet of Federer's from earlier this month where he asked movie star 'The Rock' whether he could pull off the 'smouldering intensity' look.

A sheepish Federer began explaining that he couldn't perform it on request but stopped mid-sentence to do it anyway.

The hilarious moment drew raucous laughter from fans inside Rpd Laver Arena and earned Federer a huge high-five from Courier.

The 36-year-old Swiss maestro is yet to drop a set in his quest for a 20th grand-slam title.

It was a typically complete performance from the title favourite whose superior service game allowed him to maintain his supremacy over the elegant Frenchman.

Federer fired off 12 aces and 42 winners, holding his serve in all but one game.

Down 5-4 in the third set, Gasquet managed to save a match point with a glorious, down-the-line backhand winner.

But it proved to be a short-lived reprieve with Federer quick to regain the advantage and book his spot in the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 16th time.

The victory makes Federer the only male player ever in the Open era to win at least 90 matches at two grand slams, having also achieved that feat at Wimbledon.

Federer cited last year's third-round victory over Czech star Tomas Berdych as a major confidence-booster on the way to an odds-defying fifth Australian Open crown.

This time around, Federer is fully healthy and in ominous form heading into the second week.

"Expectations are different (this year), which is a good thing. It means that I had a good season last year," Federer said.

"I'm coming in this year very fit, very well-equipped, knowing that five sets is not an issue whereas last year there was a question mark.

"With that question mark in mind, you are a bit more under tension, I guess.

"I think that the Berdych match for me was really a key to show myself that I can play a great match, and maybe we can do it again and again and again.

"I don't know if it will happen this year but so far, so good."

While Federer has never played Australian Open debutant Fucsovics, his fourth-round opponent won't be an unknown quantity.

"I know Marton a little bit," Federer said.

"He came to Switzerland last year to train with me for a week. He was great, a super nice guy, hardworking. He's a great baseliner and he's very strong.

"I'm happy to know him a little bit, that is a good thing."