Roger Federer
Eight-time champion Roger Federer defeated France’s Richard Gasquet in straight sets on Thursday to enter the third round of Wimbledon.
Sixth-seeded Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles with Rafael Nadal, the most in the Open Era, was in fine form as he beat his French rival 7-6, 6-1, 6-4, nine minutes Spent less. More than two hours in the Central Court.
The Swiss maestro sent down 10 aces, had no double fault, and won 84% of the points on his first serve. He also slammed 50 winners compared to 20 by the gasket.
Although the 39-year-old world No. 8 Swiss had 26 unforced errors, Gasquet could not take advantage of it as he himself made 23 errors. Overall, it was a clinical performance by Federer, who finished runner-up here in 2019 and is hoping to claim his ninth title here.
Federer, who had two surgeries on his right knee in 2020, missed the Australian Open and lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Earlier on Thursday, unseeded Japanese player Kei Nishikori’s Wimbledon campaign ended with a loss to Australia’s Jordan Thompson.
Nishikori, a two-time quarterfinalist here in 2018 and 2019, lost to Thompson in four sets 5-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3-6.
The experienced Japanese served five double faults and made 49 unforced errors, compared to 22 by his opponent. Although he made a better first serve than his opponent, Nishikori could only win 64% on his first serve, compared to 81% by Thompson.
Earlier, he defeated Alexei Popirin of Australia 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 18th, was also thrown out on Thursday. He was shown the door by Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, who won 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. The Kazakh slammed 34 aces by Dimitrov for four.
Spain’s eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut lost some steam in his second-round match by winning the first two sets. He went on to win a nerve-wracking five-setter against Miomir Kekmanovic of Serbia – winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3.
Earlier, world number 6 Alexander Zverev defeated American tennis Sandgren 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 45 minutes to enter the third round. However, 13th seed Gael Monfils lost in four sets to Spanish Pedro Martínez.
Zverev, who lost in the second round of the Halle Open, hit 13 aces and only two double faults. Tennys Sandgren hit eight aces and six double faults.
The 24-year-old German, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, made five out of 10 break points.
Seventh-seeded Matteo Berrettini advanced to the third round in a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) over Bottic van de Zandschulp.
The Italian scored 20 aces against De Zandschulp’s seven. He also scored 83 per cent on first serve.
Although he could convert only two of his seven break points, he was better than the Dutch player who failed to convert even one of his nine break points.
Chile’s 17th seed Christian Garin reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career, defeating Australian Mark Polmans 7-6(3), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5) in four sets . .
Martinez defeated 13th seed Frenchman Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) to reach the third round. Although Monfils’ game was full of power as he scored 21 aces against Martinez’s six and won more on the first serve, he was unsuccessful.
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