Federer, Wawrinka, Tsonga and Nishikori advance
Originally published on 24/06/14
Seven-time champion Federer, playing in his 59th successive Grand Slam, took just an hour and a half to win 6-1 6-1 6-3 against Lorenzi, who has not won a match in 13 attempts at a major.
"Getting the first one out of the way is always a good feeling," said Federer, who faces either Gilles Muller or Julian Benneteau next. "I thought I played well, got a lot of breaks and served well. Walking down the tunnel I felt relaxed and happy to go on court but once you step out there you are ready and you do feel some pressure."
Wawrinka reached the second round at Wimbledon for the first time since 2011 as he beat Joao Sousa 6-3 6-4 6-3. The Australian Open champion, who was beaten in his opening match at the French Open, struck 18 aces and 34 winners to progress past the unseeded Portuguese.
“I know that I can do some damage here, but I need to be focused for the next match,” said Wawrinka. “I’ll take it match by match and we will see where it will end. It was not easy after the Australian Open, but I still won a Masters 1000 and I'm still there. I still think that I can have some big results in big tournaments, I'm confident with that. I just need to do it again. When, I don't know, but I'm sure I will have some.”
Tenth seed Nishikori made just nine unforced errors as he beat Kenny de Schepper 6-4 7-6(5) 7-5 while Tsonga needed just three minutes to finish off his match against Jurgen Melzer that was postponed on Monday evening due to rain. The No.14 seed won the four points required to wrap up the final game of the contest and win 6-1 3-6 3-6 6-2 6-4.
“It was quick. I played only four points, but it was not easy to come back after yesterday night,” said Tsonga. “I played a good four points and finally I won and tomorrow I have a new match.”
Tsonga, who faces Sam Querrey next after he also won his postponed match against Bradley Klahn 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 7-5, is a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist but knows it will be tough to improve on that.
“The top four keep the majors in their hands, and it's tough to deal with it because we practice the same time as them, we do the same job, but we don't have the same reward as them,” he said. “So, of course, it's frustrating. But we continue to fight because we like it and we dream about it. I think the most important is to dream about it, to have the chance once to get that.”
Another former semi-finalist, Jerzy Janowicz, also made it through with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3 win over Somdev Devvarman and will face 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt next following his 6-2 6-7(14) 6-1 6-4 victory against Michal Przysiezny.
Australian Nick Kyrgios won his first main draw match at Wimbledon as he beat Stephane Robert 7-6(2) 7-6(1) 6-7(6) 6-2.
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