Federer leads run of familiar faces

LONDON — As usual, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are playing well atWimbledon, leading theway intoWeek 2.

“It’s their turf,” said Ernests Gulbis, who stood in Djokovic’s way in the third round but failed to present much of an obstacle. “It’s their home court.” Indeed, it is. Not since Lleyton Hewitt won the championship 15 years ago has someone other than Federer (a record-equaling seven titles in that span), Djokovic (three), Nadal (two) or Murray (two) leftWimbledon with the men’s singles title. In addition, that socalled Big 4 accounts for eight runner-up finishes during that stretch.

Count Federer those shrugging quartet’s latest with only one set among the lot.

“I thought that everybody this week was going to find their form, especially speaking about Andy and Novak,” Federer said. “I hoped I was going to be there, whereas with Rafa’s among at the success, dropped confidence, I thought he was also going to be there.

“So I’m not that surprised. But it’s great.”

There is an interesting age dynamic in the men’s event: The seven players 30 or older in the round of 16 represent the most to get that far in the 50 Wimbledons of the Open era.

“I came through the juniors with all these guys,” Federer said. “It’s nice to see them still hanging on, still enjoying the tour, still being tough out there, making it difficult for the youngsters to break through.

“There is a bit of that clash right now — the young ones trying to push out, especially, the 35-plus guys. But then there’s a strong team as well around the generation of Rafa and Murray and Djokovic.”

At 37, five-time champion Venus Williams is the oldest woman left. She will face the youngest remaining player, 19-year-old Ana Konjuh, inMonday’s round of 16.

Oneof the othermatches will pit No. 1 Angelique Kerber against No. 14 Garbine Muguruza in a meeting of the last twoWimbledon runners-up.