LONDON: Roger Federer raced into the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday, swatting aside French journeyman Adrian Mannarino in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
The six-time champion was forced to wait until nearly 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) local time before his match against the 22-year-old world number 55 could got under way on a covered Centre Court.
But Federer was clearly in no mood to hang around, dispatching the outclassed Mannarino with a minimum of fuss in less than 90 minutes.
The only minor impediment to victory came as Federer prepared to serve for the match, when he waited patiently for the Centre Court crowd to finish several boisterous laps of a Mexican Wave.
Meanwhile, Pursuing another bid for her first Grand Slam title, top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki made only one unforced error as she beat Virginie Razzano 6-1, 6-3 on Friday to move into the third round of Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old Dane was at the top of her game as she downed the 96th-ranked Frenchwoman in 1 hour, 6 minutes in sunny conditions on Court 2 at the All England Club.
Venus moves safely into last 16
Five-time champion Venus Williams cruised into the last 16 at Wimbledon with a straight sets victory over Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Friday.
The American, seeded 23, sailed through the first set but was given more of a contest in the second as she sealed a 6-0, 6-2 victory in 62 minutes.
The victory sets up a clash against Bulgarian number 32 seed Tsvetana Pironkova, who knocked her out of last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals. It was only Williams’ second loss on grass to a player from outside the top 30.
“I’m feeling good and it’s great to be ready for the second week,” Williams said. (Agencies)