Two days after creating a stir at Wimbledon with his new mega-bucks clothing deal, Roger Federer was back making a style statement with his dazzling tennis as he gave Lukas Lacko a 6-4 6-4 6-1 dressing down to reach the third round on Wednesday.
The Swiss champion was at his breathtaking best as he crafted 48 exquisite winners during a 90-minute match that seemed more an exhibition of his shot-making than a charge towards a record ninth Wimbledon title.
When Federer turned up to defend his crown in 2013, he suffered a shock second-round humbling by Sergiy Stakhovsky.
There was no danger of a repeat performance against Slovakia’s Lacko, however, and a forehand swish on match point gave the top seed a 26th consecutive set at the grasscourt Major.
Federer will face either Croatian Ivo Karlovic or Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff for a place in the fourth round.
Gael Monfils has revealed he has finally learned how to love grass after reaching the third round for the second year running. Frenchman Monfils edged past Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) to book a clash with 11th-seed Sam Querrey.
Even after beating Britain’s Kyle Edmund in the second round last year, Monfils maintained he harboured a serious dislike for the grass. But now the 31-year-old believes he has discovered a new-found appreciation for his least-favourite surface. “After years and years of improving slowly, finally I can say that I like the grass,” said Monfils. “I’m happy, with the way I’ve played in these two matches. I’m trying to like the grass as much now as I like playing tennis. I’ve had to have the mindset that it’s just another surface.”
Canada’s 13th seed Milos Raonic swept past Australian John Millman in straight sets, but in predictably attritional fashion, requiring three tie-breaks for victory.
Raonic drove home 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4), to book a third-round clash with Dennis Novak, who toppled 17th seed Lucas Pouille in a fine five-set victory.
Big-serving Raonic revealed he has been battling a minor virus, but insisted he feels in good condition. “I’ve just had a bit of a reaction, like a bit of a lung reaction, a virus,” said Raonic. “I feel good, and the body has behaved (after a string of injuries). Obviously we are very cautious with it, because it’s tough to ask the body to stop and start all the time.”
MEN ’S SINGLES 2ND RD
(11) Sam Querrey (USA) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-3
(13) Milos Raonic (Can) bt John Millman (Aus) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4)
Dennis Novak (Aut) bt (17) Lucas Pouille (Fra) 6-4 6-2 6-7 (8-10) 3-6 6-2)
(22) Adrian Mannarino (Fra) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-5 7-5 7-6 (7-4)
Daniil Medvedev (Rus) bt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Esp) 6-3 6-4 6-2
Gael Monfils (Fra) bt Paolo Lorenzi (Ita) 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3
MacKenzie McDonald (USA) bt Nicolas Jarry (Chi) 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 3-6 6-2 11-9
Radu Albot (Mol) bt Aljaz Bedene (Slo) 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-3
