Australian Open: Roger Federer joins Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray in the last 16
January 18, 2014 -- Updated 1624 GMT (0024 HKT)
(CNN) -- The heat was off Roger Federer as he joined fellow grand slam winners Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the final 16 at the Australian Open.
Federer zipped through a 6-2 6-2 6-3 win over unseeded Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili as the searing temperatures eased in Melbourne and distinctly grayer skies loomed over the show courts.
The 32-year-old is chasing a fifth title in Australia and an 18th career grand slam but for now Federer is grateful for small mercies after a niggling back injury saw him lose form in 2013.
'I'm just happy waking up in the morning and not feeling like an old man,' he told reporters. 'So that's very positive. Right now I feel very fresh and very good physically.
Read: Can Federer find his old form in 2014?
'My first goal was to get through the first week, now clearly the draw is very difficult. I've done the work, I've not lost a set so far, so we'll see how it goes.'
It's a French test for Federer next as he faces Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 10th seed, for a place in the quarterfinals.
If he advances to the final eight, Federer would face Murray -- the man who beat him in an absorbing Australian semifinal last season.
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