Punctual Federer advances after Wimbledon rain delay

Tennis News

Jun 27, 2008, 17:38 GMT

London - Roger Federer stepped up the tempo after a 90-minute rain delay, reaching the fourth round of the Wimbledon Championships 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 over Marc Gicquel on Friday. The punctual Swiss was forced to wait on the weather as light rain dusted the event for the first time this week. Once on court after after some brief opening stutters - the pair traded breaks in the first two games - the champion aiming for his sixth title in a row at the All England club went into action as Federer clocked his 62nd consecutive victory on grass. 'It was difficult conditions and a trickly opponent,' said the winner, 41-4 at Wimbledon. 'He plays aggressive and takes big cuts at the ball. 'I had to rally after losing the first game but I played well throughout and I'm happy to go through into the second week.' Federer, holder of a dozen Grand Slam singles titles, took a few games to find his range against 32-year-old late bloomer Gicquel, who didn't decide on a tennis career until age 24 and who first reached the top 100 only three years ago. But the Swiss established the natural order on court, winning the opening two sets in an hour and polishing off the 53rd-ranked veteran. As clouds began gathering again, Federer efficiently finished the encounter with on his first match point. 'It will be nice to get a couple of days off this weekend. I haven't lost a set so far but it gets tougher against more experienced players now. 'I want to just keep the game where it is now.' Federer has now won his last 37 matches at Wimbledon, extended to a fifth set only once, in last year's final against Rafael Nadal.

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in Tennis

Talkback

There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (52) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Tennis

Punctual Federer advances after Wimbledon rain delay

Tennis News

Latest Headlines in Tennis

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

Similar articles

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print