Roger Federer / Image: REUTERS
Grand Slam record winner Roger Federer is getting better and better in Wimbledon after his initial tremendous victory against Adrian Mannarino (FRA) and is already in the round of 16. On Saturday the Swiss had to play an unpleasant opponent in the third round with the Briton Cameron Norrie (No. 29), but finally defeated the local hero 6: 4.6: 4.5: 7.6: 4. Also in the men's tournament were the German Alexander Zverev (4) and the Italian Matteo Berrettini (7).
For Federer, ranked number six, it will be his 18th round of 16 with this major, and he will continue on Monday against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (23). The Swiss had Norrie under control, but a small phase of weakness from 5: 5 in the third set meant the loss of the set. In the end there was his 104th Wimbledon match win. Federer has never lost in a third Wimbledon round, and that has not been the case in the round of 16 so far – no good prospects for Sonego.
Zverev fought against Taylor Fritz (31) to a 6: 7 (3), 6: 4.6: 3.7: 6 (4) success against the American. “It was a match in which I didn't play my best tennis,” said the 2020 US Open finalist self-critically. “But I'm glad I'm in my second week now.” Zverev has respect for his opponent Felix Auger-Aliassime (16): “He feels extremely comfortable on grass. We played against each other three times, but never on grass. It will be interesting.”
Kyrgios gives up
The Canadian Auger-Aliassime benefited from the draw of Nick Kyrgios when the set was tied 1: 1. The Australian crowd favorite was unable to continue playing due to problems with the abdominal muscles. “I haven't played at this level for a long time,” said Kyrgios. “When you play against someone like Felix, I need my service as a weapon.” Of course, the 26-year-old was no longer able to use his serve as required.
Secret favorite Berrettini celebrated a 6: 4.6: 4.6: 4 victory over the Slovenian Aljaz Bedene and is thus in the round of 16 for the second time in London. They also made progress in the first games of the day after a delay in rain the Pole Hubert Hurkacz with a 6: 3,6: 4,6: 2 over the Kazakhs Alexander Bublik. After the traditional rest day on the first Sunday of the tournament, all promoted players will play their round of 16 on Monday.
Generation duel for women
In the women’s category, Angelique Kerber and Coco Gauff provided the hoped-for generation hit in the round of 16. The 33-year-old German defeated Alexandra Sasnowitsch from Belarus 2: 6.6: 0.6: 1 and is among the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time since winning the title in 2018. The 17-year-old Gauff won against the Slovenian Kaja Juvan 6: 3.6: 3. French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova celebrated her 15th victory in a row with a 7: 6 (1), 3: 6.7: 5 against Anastasija Sevastoa (LAT).
The only 18-year-old Emma Raducanu provided the sensation, which was pleasing for the British. As number 338 in the world, she is after a 6: 3.7: 5 over Sorana Cirstea (ROU) in her Grand Slam debut in the round of 16. Born in Canada to a Chinese mother and a Romanian father, she represents multicultural London. She will now face Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS).
From an Austrian point of view, Oliver Marach cheered the entry into the double round of 16. With Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) he left Lloyd Harris / Alex Popyrin (RSA / AUS) 7: 6 (6), 3: 6.6: 3 behind in round two. Marach's Olympic doubles partner Philipp Oswald had to admit defeat with Marcus Daniell (NZL) Tomislav Brkic / Nikola Cacic (BIH / SRB) 3: 6.6: 1.12: 13 (6).
