World number one Roger Federer suggested he has not yet hit top gear at the Australian Open in response to his 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over 31st seed Albert Montanes.

Montanes was not allowed a single break-point opportunity in what was a one-sided third-round encounter on the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The win secured Federer his 50th victory at the Australian Open and keeps the Swiss superstar in contention for a fourth title.

“I feel good, I feel confident,” Federer said.

“Physically I’m fine and fresh and that’s how you want to feel going into the second week.”

The 15-time Grand Slam champion, contesting his 11th successive Australian Open, will next face the winner of the match between home fancy Lleyton Hewitt and 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis (Baghdatis 11/10 Hewitt 4/6 In Play) in round four.