Roger Federer saw what a trio of next generation grand slam contenders had to offer on Friday before putting on a show of his own, disposing of Australian wild card James Duckworth in 39 minutes to move into the Brisbane International semi-finals.
The top seed dropped only six points in a 16-minute first set, and won 6-0 6-1 without really breaking a sweat against world No.125 Duckworth - a vast contrast to his rusty, three-set opening win over John Millman the previous night.
"I had a great start to the match," Federer said. "I saved energy and stress and nerves.
"Yesterday was quite nerve-wracking and physically difficult because it was first match of the season. So I'm very happy I got it done quickly today."
The 17-time major winner will next meet Grigor Dimitrov, who progressed with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Martin Klizan, with Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic meeting in the other semi-final.
Federer and Dimitrov - nicknamed 'Baby Fed' - are often compared due to their styles, particularly the single-handed backhand, and they're both anticipating a tough contest.
"I'm aware of the challenge," Federer said. "He's clearly expecting big things from himself this year, I would assume.
"So, it's an opportunity for him more than for me, but I still think it's going to be a tough and good match for both of us."
Dimitrov has lost two previous matches to Federer - both in Basel - but is growing in confidence after rising to a career-high No.8 ranking last August.
"I'm always excited when I get to play a match like that against a player like that," Dimitrov said. "I have quite a bit of experience behind me now. I've learned from each match that I've played against him. I like my odds."
Nishikori, the US Open finalist, eased past Bernard Tomic 6-0 6-4, while Raonic endured more of a struggle against big-serving Sam Groth, winning 7-6(3) 3-6 7-6(2).
Groth got the only break of serve, in the second set, and hit more winners and more aces - 22 against 15 - than Raonic, who is rarely outperformed in that area.
Nishikori, Raonic and Dimitrov have yet to win a major title, but they're widely considered the new wave of future champions. They're all playing their first tournaments of the season in Brisbane, getting primed for the Australian Open beginning on January 19.
In Doha, David Ferrer defeated Ivo Karlovic 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 7-6(4) to make the Qatar Open final. Fourth seed Ferrer will play either third-seed Tomas Berdych or Andreas Seppi for the title.
There were no service breaks by Ferrer or Karlovic during their intense two hour 32-minute match. Ferrer lost his serve to trail 3-2 in the third-set tiebreaker. Karlovic lost the next two points on serve to set Ferrer up for the win.
Karlovic saved the first of two match points for Ferrer at 6-3 with a second-serve ace, his 30th of the match and 97th of the tournament. He improved his career tally to 9,092 aces, having surpassed Andy Roddick (9,074) to lie second only to Goran Ivanisevic (10,183); they are the only three players since 1991 to serve more than 9,000 aces.
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