Federer was handed the perfect Thursday schedule on a day when the weather has been the main talking point, second on Rod Laver Arena.

The Swiss likes to play in the same session - day or night - throughout a tournament and has been granted that so far, meaning he will be playing in the relatively cool conditions of the late evening in Melbourne.

Conversely, one of his main rivals Novak Djokovic specifically requested to play during the day against Gael Monfils, a decision he might have regretted when the mercury reached 38 degrees.

But he still made it through to the third round, where Federer will hope to join him.