Federer eases into Wimbledon second week
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were joined in the last 16 by Roger Federer, who was largely untroubled by a battling Lucas Pouille.
Published : Jul 07, 2019 00:56 IST
Roger Federer encountered few problems as he defeated Lucas Pouille in straight sets to reach the second week of Wimbledon.
The second seed won Saturday's third-round clash 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in two hours and five minutes on Centre Court.
After striking at a crucial moment to claim a tight opening set, a Federer victory rarely looked in doubt from then on. The 37-year-old will face Matteo Berrettini in the last 16 after the Italian beat Diego Schwartzman in five sets.
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Federer had to save two break points in an even first set, including one with a smash as he edged into a 6-5 lead. Pouille had not afforded Federer a single break opportunity despite a poor first-serve percentage of 43 in the opener until he lost focus at a vital moment with a tie-break beckoning.
Some superb play at the net helped Federer to force two set points, the second of which was converted when the Frenchman sent a forehand off target.
The Swiss star asserted his dominance early in the second, a stunning forehand winner on the run sending him on the way to the first of two straight breaks and a 4-0 lead. Pouille struck back with a break of his own, but the 27th seed's serve gave way for the third time in the set when he could not handle a forehand from his opponent at the net.
In only the second meeting between the players, former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Pouille did not cave in, taking the third set to a tie-break after saving a match point with an ace. But an early mini-break gave Federer the tie-break advantage and, after another match point went begging, his 350th grand-slam victory was sealed when his opponent's backhand found the net.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Roger Federer [2] bt Lucas Pouille [27] 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-4)
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Federer - 39/14 Pouille - 38/28
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Federer - 6/0 Pouille - 6/3
BREAK POINTS WON Federer - 4/9 Pouille - 1/4
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Federer - 70 Pouille - 49
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Federer - 76/58 Pouille - 67/56
TOTAL POINTS Federer - 113 Pouille - 94