Fed’s on a Swiss roll
STAR CRUISES INTO FOURTH ROUND
THE mini fist-pumps and what counts for an occasional roar in Roger Federer’s world gave it away.
Seven titles here in his back catalogue, his 36th birthday knocking up on the other side of the net, but Federer has never looked more motivated, never looked so focused.
And that is saying something.
His record-breaking statistics pile higher than an umpire’s chair but the one benchmark he would love to set is eight Wimbledon crowns.
He would be the first man in history to do it.
The form guide of the first week is always sketchy, but Federer looks in as good a shape as any of the Big Four.
At times, it might have looked a bit of a struggle against a player who has never taken a set from Federer but Mischa Zverev is ranked inside the top 30.
The German acquitted himself well – he was once beaten 6-0 6-0 by Federer, a double bagel – and made sure it was no piece of cake for Roger but there was never any serious suggestion of an upset.
And while Federer might not have been at his most imperious, there was plenty of elegant fodder for his legion of disciples in this 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-4 win.
Aside from Andy Murray, Federer is the strongest Centre Court draw and, for some, the love might be a little more unconditional than for the Scot. He is how Wimbledon likes its players. Well-mannered and stylish.
He is also the greatest male to have played the game. That helps.
That he is still regarded as one of the favourites, if not the favourite, to win Wimbledon this year is a remarkable testimony to the depth of his talent. His body can take the strain because the strain is shrunk by sheer ability.
This was his 86th Wimbledon match-win, taking him two clear of Jimmy Connors’ open-era record. This is the 15th time, in 16 appearances, he has reached the last 16. At times, this was simply a very useful workout ahead of a very tough fourth-round engagement with Grigor Dimitrov, the 13th seed yet to drop a set this year. But Federer has a blemish-free record against the Bulgarian, and against Zverev went through his full repertoire.
He served decently, volleyed with certainty, produced the occasionally stunning forehand and that backhand really is a thing of beauty.
He even pulled out a ’tweener, the trick shot played between the legs.
That is a firm favourite of the younger players but, in Federer’s case, age certainly is just a number.
As is eight. That’s the one he’s after, that’s the one he believes he can get.
first Form guide of week is always Fed sketchy, but four looks in the big