Federer takes sets streak to 26 at Wimbledon

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams recovered from a first set setback to beat Romanian qualifer Alexandra Dulgheru 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 in just under two hours.

Five of the top eight women’s seeds have now exited the competition before the third round.

Federer was set to play Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany and Williams faced Kristina Mladenovic of France as they continue their quests for a ninth and eighth Wimbledon title, respectively.

Federer fired three of those aces in a row to take the second set and he got his 15,000-strong Centre Court fan club gasping in astonishment as he produced a ridiculous backhand drop shot from behind the baseline. Speaking to the press after his win on Wednesday, the 20-time Grand slam champion hit out at the Switzerland football team for their meek surrender in the Round of 16 match at the FIFA World Cup in Russian Federation.

“I don’t know. I don’t know”, he began, before offering quite a list for someone who doesn’t know.

Former finalist Agnieszka Radwanska lost 7-5, 6-4 to Czech world number 66 Lucie Safarova.

“It was better than my first-round match, I’m happy to be going in the right direction”, Williams said.

The next day of the Wimbledon tournament was not completed due to rain.

In the first set, Federer broke Lacko in the seventh game to take the opener, 6-4.

The Swiss defending champion has now won 26 consecutive sets at the All England Club. “I clearly enjoy the path more where it comes easier, not wasting too much energy is always nice”, said the Swiss. Canadian Raonic won the match 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) and he will play qualifier Dennis Novak next.

Sharapova, playing Wimbledon for the first time in three years after missing 2016 through a drugs ban and 2017 due to injury, gave up the match on her 11th double fault.

Serena Williams making her comeback in the tournament after giving it a miss past year to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia routed Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova 6-1, 6-4. I can’t even be mad at myself, because I played up to the level that I can. “Maybe also the grass helps me just a little bit to get a few more free points than what it would on some other surfaces”.

With his 60th match win at Wimbledon, the Serbian ensured he reached the third round for the 10th consecutive year.

(10) Madison Keys bt.

“Where I am in the village I can hear the Rose & Crown. Now I’m cheering for England”.

Three-time Wimbledon singles champion John McEnroe said it was a chance for the seven-time victor to “kick the rust off a little”, while former world number one Kim Clijsters said the American is a contender for the title. “First main draw slam win, first top 50 win & into the top 200 for the first time”.

No. 8 Kevin Anderson and No. 9 John Isner – the highest-ranked American man, he’d never before reached the fourth round at the grass-court major – won in straight sets, while No. 11 Sam Querrey of the USA was eliminated 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 by Gael Monfils of France. “You’re only as good as your next performance really”.

After her loss Swan said on Twitter: “Tough one today but overall a great experience”.