Federer shows off party piece in easy win

Roger Federer was excited to pull out his SABR return to liven up a straightforward third-round victory over Jan-lennard Struff.

The defending champion needed only an hour and 34 minutes to win 6-3 7-5 6-2, extending his run of consecutive sets won at Wimbledon to 29 and making him the most successful male player on the surface. Federer’s 175th win from 200 matches played sees him overtake Jimmy Connors.

Federer unveiled his half-volley return, dubbed the Sneak Attack By Roger, in 2015 but has not used it recently. in control at 3-1 in the third set against Struff, he pulled it out again, winning the point with a follow-up volley.

The top seed said: “I can never practise it because how do you?ijustf eel like it’ s not really what you do in a practice with other guys. They would be like, ‘Really?’. I can only really practise it with my coach. that’ s why it disappeared a little bit.

“W he ni do it again, it’ s quite exciting for me. I always have to check the score first. I’m happy I did it. I’m happy it worked. After that I feel like there is a buzz for me. I think it just helps with keeping it exciting. I always look for new ways to win the point.”

Federer is the only semi-finalist from last year left in either of the singles draws and he moves through to a fourth-round meeting with France’s Adrian Mannarino on Monday.

Gael Monfils made it through to the fourth round for the first time after beating Sam Querrey. The mercurial Frenchman beat last year’s semi-finalist 5-7 6-4 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court.

Monfils will tackle Kevin Anderson in the next round, and he enjoys a 5-0 winning record over the South African.

Anderson earlier became the first man through to the fourth round after beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-5 7-5.

John Isner is in the fourth round after a routine win over Radu Albot.

The American won 6-3 6-3 6-4 on Court Three, serving 21 aces, to set up a last-16 meeting with Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas who was a straight-sets winner against Thomas fab bi a no, triumphing 6-26-16-4.

Adrian mannari no came through in five sets against Daniil Medvedev, winning 6-4 6-3 4-6 5-7 6-3 to set up a clash with Federer.

Argentinian Guido Pella – shock conqueror of third seed Marin Cilic – was beaten in straight sets by world No 103 Mackenzie mcdonald, with the american winning 6-4 6-4 7-6 (8/6).

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev’s second-round match against Taylor Fritz had been suspended due to bad light but the German came back to win 6-4 5-7 6-7 (0/7) 6-1 6-2.