Feds and Djokovic through in straight sets

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:36

Roger Federer advanced to the third round with a minimum of fuss, brushing past Guillermo Garcia Lopez 6-2 6-2 6-4 in the second round at Wimbledon.

The Swiss, bidding for his sixth Wimbledon title and a record 15th Grand Slam, dropped only three points on his first serve on his way to victory against the Spaniard.

“I thought all the sets were pretty similar,” Federer said of a thoroughly routine performance. “He won the first service game and I broke him in the next.”

The world No.2 didn’t appear overly bothered by the blustery conditions on another hot day on Centre Court, but admitted later that “I thought one end was definitely easier to play from.

“I’m playing great at the moment, and I hope it’s going to last” – Federer

“I definitely did not want to underestimate him but I think I did well today,” Federer said of Garcia Lopez, who could not manage to pull off the upset of the year and join his compatriots in round three. “I could even try out a few things in the third set. It was solid and that’s exactly what I needed today.”

“The opponents are only going to get tougher,” Federer concluded. “I’m playing great at the moment, and I hope it’s going to last.”

Things were less routine for Novak Djokovic over on Court 1. The No.4 seed, who admitted earlier this week that being off the radar suited him for the fortnight, made hard work of his second round encounter with Simon Greul, overhauling a 4-2 deficit in the first set and recovering from a break down in the second before finding some form to win 7-5 6-1 6-4.

“I did not have a lot of success here last year so I had no expectations for Wimbledon this year and don’t try to create pressure on myself to get far in the tournament,” surmised the Serb. “I play each match at a time.

The former Australian Open champion struggled with the still slippery grass underfoot and vented his frustrations on his racket early in the second, but will be pleased to have progressed further than last year, when he went out in the second round to Marat Safin.

“I am aware of my qualities but do not want to create extra pressure on myself as I know how hard it is to deal with it. I am happy people are not talking about me.

“I wish for that so I can really focus on my game and try to perform my best tennis as possible.”

Djokovic faces big-serving Mardy Fish in the third round after the American beat Janko Tipsarevic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4.

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