WIMBLEDON, July 2: Roger Federer has become the oldest man to reach the third round at Wimbledon in 46 years.
Federer held every service game and extended his winning streak against Richard Gasquet to 11 matches, 7-6 (1), 6-1, 6-4.
“I was really happy with my performance,” Federer told the crowd.
He turns 40 next month. Ken Rosewall was 40 when he made a run to the fourth round in 1975.
Federer improved to 19-2 against Gasquet and has won all five of their Grand Slam meetings in straight sets.
He’s bidding for his ninth Wimbledon title and his 21st major championship, which would break the men’s record he shares with Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss maestro sent down 10 aces, had no double fault, and won 84% points on his-first serve. He also slammed 50 winners as compared to 20 by Gasquet.
Though the 39-year-old world No.8 Swiss had 26 unforced errors, Gasquet could not capitalise on that as he himself committed 23 errors. Overall, it was a clinical display by Federer, who had finished runner-up here in 2019 and is hoping to claim his ninth title here.
Federer, who had undergone surgery twice on his troublesome right knee in 2020, gave the Australian Open a miss and lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
The Wimbledon campaign of unseeded Japanese Kei Nishikori came to an end with his defeat to Jordan Thompson of Australia.
Nishikori, a two-time quarter-finalist here in 2018 and 2019, lost to Thompson in four sets, 5-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3-6.
The seasoned Japanese served five double faults and made 49 unforced errors as compared to 22 by his opponent. Though he put in a better first serve than his opponent, Nishikori could win only 64% points on his first serve as compared to 81% by Thompson.
Earlier in first round, he had defeated Alexei Popyrin of Australia 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
No.18 seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria too was dumped the wayside on Thursday. He was shown the door by Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, who won 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. The Kazakh slammed 34 aces to four by Dimitrov.
Spanish eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut lost some steam after winning the first two sets in his second round match. He advanced after winning a nerve-jingling five-setter against Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia – coming through the bruising contest 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3.
The seventh seed Matteo Berrettini scored a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp to advance to third round.
The Italian fired 20 aces against de Zandschulp’s seven. He also won 83 per cent points on first service.
Although he could convert only two of the seven break points, he was still better than the Dutch player who failed to convert even one of his nine break points.
The 17th seed Cristian Garin of Chile reached the third round at Wimbledon for the first time in his career after he overcame Australian Marc Polmans 7-6(3), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5) in four sets.
Martinez surprised 13th seed Frenchman Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) to advance to the third round. Though Monfils’ game was power-packed as he fired 21 aces and also won more on first serve, he still failed. (Agencies)
