Big guns continue to make solid progress
SIX-TIMES Wimbledon champion Roger Federer served up a late night masterclass under the Centre Court roof on day when the tournament favourites flexed their muscles at SW19.
The former world No1 required just over an hour-and-a-half to dispatch France’s Adrian Mannarino, dropping just seven games on the way to booking a third round clash against former finalist David Nalbandian.
Second seed Novak Djokovic conceded just nine games in his routine victory over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, but it was much tougher for Swedish fifth seed Robin Soderling, who came from two sets down to defeat 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt in a Centre Court classic which lasted nearly four hours.
In the women’s draw, British teenager Laura Robson’s much anticipated clash against Maria Sharapova was postponed due to the weather.
Serena Williams, meanwhile, overcame the concession of the first set for the second round in succession to record a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Simona Halep.
Despite another gutsy comeback victory, the defending champion (below) was unhappy at being relegated to Court Two. Asked at her post-match press conference if she “took it as an insult that you’re not automatically put on Centre Court, or Court One like Djokovic or Nadal”, Williams replied: “Yeah, they’re never moved across. Actually, Venus and I have won more Wimbledons together than a lot of the players or by ourselves in doubles even.”
British No1 Andy Murray’s third round tie against Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic is due to be the third match on Centre Court today.