Wimbledon: Record-chasing Federer puts on a Royal show

Published on 28/06/2012 02:32

Roger Federer raced into the third round of Wimbledon with a show fit for royalty as he eased past Italy’s Fabio Fognini, while champion Novak Djokovic saw off the challenge of young American Ryan Harrison in a late-night encounter under the Centre Court roof.

The 20-year-old Harrison is seen as a potential star of the future but, although he produced some spectacular shots, he lacked the consistency to really trouble Djokovic and the world No 1 came through 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall looked on from the Royal Box as Federer made light work of his opponent, in a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory. The third seed, looking to equal Pete Sampras’ tally of seven Wimbledon titles, will now face Michael Russell of the US or French 29th seed Julien Benneteau. Seventh seed David Ferrer beat Germany’s Dustin Brown 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4 in their first-round tie while Florian Mayer took five sets to overcome countryman Philipp Petzschner. German Mayer came from two sets down to clinch a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 second-round win. Eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic came from a set down to end the challenge of American Ryan Sweeting a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Wayne Odesnik, who was playing in his first grand slam match since being banned for a doping violation in 2010, missed out on the chance of playing fellow American Andy Roddick when he was beaten in his first-round match by Bjorn Phau. Phau claimed the final set yesterday following an overnight break to triumph 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (7/3), 6-3, 6-4.

Canada’s Milos Raonic made light work of his opening-round against Santiago Giraldo, beating the Colombian 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Lukasz Kubot saw off Tatsuma Ito 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-3 and will play Marin Cilic in the second round. Fifteenth seed Juan Monaco beat France’s Jeremy Chardy to move into the third round while Stanislas Wawrinka was beaten by Austria’s Jurgen Melzer in their first-round match.