Ruthless Federer cruises into last 16
Eight-time Wimbledon champion takes sets streak to 29, next faces Frenchman Mannarino
>> LONDON: Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer advanced to the Wimbledon last 16 without dropping a set after a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win over German Jan-Lennard Struff on Friday.
Federer, seeking a record ninth Wimbledon title, eased through the first set before the big-serving Struff put up more of a fight in the second.
But Federer clinched it with a superb service game that included a wonderful volley at the end of a long rally followed by a winning drive down the line.
The 36-year-old Swiss proceeded to win his 29th consecutive set at the All England Club and wrap up victory on Centre Court with an ace on his first match point in just over one and a half hours.
“Against big servers who go for a lot it’s always difficult to find rhythm and be sure that you are in driver’s seat until the match is over,” Federer said after his 175th grasscourt win.
“I was happy to stay calm and finish off the job. I thought I did very well today. I created more chances in the second set and was always able to stay pretty clean on my own service game.
“It’s a wonderful feeling walking out there, I take every match one at a time, I try to put on a good match, try hard every time, and will never underestimate anybody — that keeps me in check.”
Federer next faces French 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino.
“In the next round it will be a lefty. It will be much more of a strategic match, I believe, the way Mannarino plays,” Federer said.
“I’m happy I found a way today. Some moments where it can be frustrating because you’re not finding any rhythm, at times you’re more reacting than playing active tennis.
“I’m just very pleased that I found a way in that first set, then also stayed calm in the second set, regardless that I had maybe missed opportunities. He was always going to be a tough thirdround opponent.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson believes it could take “10-20” years before Africa produces another Grand Slam contender such as himself.
The big South African, ranked at eight in the world, reached the Wimbledon last 16 on Friday for the fourth time.
Anderson, 32, saw off Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 to set-up a last 16 clash with flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils tomorrow.
He has already struck a blow for the continent by becoming the first South African man in 33 years to reach a Grand Slam final when he finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the US Open last year.
However, the cupboard is bare otherwise.
He is the only South African man in the top 200.
“I have been at the top of South African tennis for pretty much a decade now,” said Anderson.
“I have always said my biggest hope is that players, especially junior players in South Africa, watch me on TV or wherever, I’m a sort of source of inspiration for them to pick up the game of tennis, to pursue it.”
As always, the problem is money and lack of tournaments.
Africa stages just one ATP tournament each year, a low-key claycourt event in Marrakech in April in the build-up to the French Open.
“In order to get exposure you have to travel to Europe, to the States. On the back of that comes financing,” said Florida-based Anderson.
“Tennis is prohibitively expensive. I know for myself coming from a wealthier country of South Africa it was still very tough.
“I’d be surprised if in the next few years you’ll see a whole crop of individuals coming up.
“You will have to look at it in as a 10-, 20-year plan and hopefully in that period of time we will start to see some more players coming through.”