Federer turns on the style

Roger Federer headed a near clean sweep by the men's seeds during the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Seven of the nine seeds in action progressed, with 24th seed Olivier Rochus and 28th seed Fernando Verdasco the two to bow out.

Swiss world number one Federer turned on a stunning performance to breeze through his clash with Germany's Florian Mayer 6-1 6-4 6-0.

There was a slightly harder assignment for Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko who fought back from a set down to triumph over American Kevin Kim 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2.

Rochus of Belgium, who at 5ft 5in is the smallest player on the men's tour, was upset by Australian Peter Luczak who delighted the home support with a 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-1 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 victory.

It was a good day for the locals with Nathan Healey edging past American Amir Delic 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 6-4.

Spaniard Verdasco, matched up against Belgian Kristof Vleigen, won the first set but was overwhelmed 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

Meanwhile, Argentinian Guillermo Coria had to toil hard to oust Federico Luzzi, the Italian putting up a brave fight before the sixth seed took the match 7-6 (12-10) 6-4 6-3.

The day's longest match went the way of Slovakian journeyman Dominik Hrbaty, who prevailed in the stifling conditions 6-2 7-5 5-7 4-6 10-8 over Belgian Dick Norman.

Russian Igor Andreev was another forced to work for his win as he managed to overcome a stoic challenge from Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, the 23rd seed winning 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-2.

Max Mirnyi of Belarus was dominant in his clash with Davide Sanguinetti, the Italian eventually beaten 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10-8).

The year continues to improve for Luis Horna. The Peruvian, who had never previously gone further than the first round at the year's first grand slam, carried on his winning ways with a 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory over Bjorn Phau of Germany.

There was better news for Phau's compatriot Nicolas Kiefer, who struggled early before overcoming Boris Pashanski 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-1, while Sebastien Grosjean accounted for Juan Monaco in straight sets 6-4 6-3 6-3.