From the Baseline: Australian Open day three

Gilles Simon almost caused a huge upset against defending champion Roger Federer. Photo / Getty Images

The Herald on Sunday's Michael Burgess reviews all the action from the Australian Open's third day in Melbourne.

Hero of the day: Gilles Simon. For pushing Roger Federer to the absolute limit before going down 2-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 3-6 in three and a quarter hours. He saved four match points - three when down 0-40 on his own serve before finally succumbing. Federer was gracious enough to admit it could have gone either way - "I got lucky tonight" he said after the match.

Villain of the day: Venus Williams. It may well have been legitimate, but her five-minute injury break at the end of the first set seemed to throw her young opponent Sandra Zahlavova. It was enough for Williams to regain the momentum

Match of the day: The Federer-Simon clash had everything and can't be topped. Honourable mentions to Gael Monfils vs Federico Gil (especially the lone Portuguese supporter who sang his heart out in support of Gil, while 6000 Australians chanted for Gary - obviously Gael is a bit of a challenge) on Margaret Court and Nicolas Almargo vs Igor Andreev. The Russian blew two match points before the 25-year-old Spaniard eventually prevailed.

Shot of the day: Too many to mention but two from Monfils stood out. One was the classic between the legs shot that won the point, while a later badminton-esque drop shot defied all the laws of physics.

Quote of the day: "It was not quite like holiday. It's not like I took time off and went to Australia to see penguins" - Svetlana Kuznetsova on a rare break during the season.

Quote of the day (2): "You need time to get used to his game. It's not that playing any other player". Gilles Simon sums up perfectly why it is so tough to play Federer, and why he struggled in the first two sets before his brilliant comeback.

Stat of the day: Four Aussies had match point on Tuesday, only to ultimately lose which put a very different spin on the day for the locals and the tournament.

Foodwatch: A first venture beyond the confines of Melbourne Park; out to the Queen Victoria night markets and a bite to eat. Crocodile burger ($10) was the eventual choice. Later back at the tennis some Koshi sushi (Teriyaki chicken of course -$7.70) and a Macadamia Healthly choice Muesli Bar with an impressive 38mg of fat. Even McDonalds would be proud of that marketing!

- Herald on Sunday