Australian Open 2015: Roger Federer through despite injury

Roger Federer dropped a set against Italy’s Simone Bolelli on his way to the third round of the Australian Open after struggling with an unidentified finger injury.

The Swiss came back from a set down to triumph 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 and was at a loss to explain the problem which hampered his game in Melbourne.

“I was looking at it and it felt like a bee stung me,” said Federer. “I thought, ‘It can’t be possible.’ I’ve never had this pain before.

“I don’t know if it’s a blister. I don’t know what that thing is. It’s the weirdest thing. I don’t know. I feel it on the tip of my finger. I feel like it’s numb and swollen.

“I knew we couldn’t tape it up because then it would be even bigger and more weird. I just said, ‘I hope it doesn’t get worse or stay like this.’ Actually it went away, but now I feel it again.”

Meanwhile, second seed Maria Sharapova survived a scare as she saved two match points on her way to beating fellow Russian Alexandra Panova.

The 27-year-old eventually won 6-1 4-6 7-5 to book her place in round three at Melbourne Park.

“I was down two breaks in the third. The only belief I had was just try to get into the rallies,” said Sharapova.

“She served some really good games out there where I didn’t have many chances.

“When I did, I thought I could put a little more thought into her mind, get those first serves back. I think that was really important.

“I think she became a little bit more tentative in that last game. Of course, based on experience, you lift yourself up both mentally and physically.”