July 01, (THEWILL) – Former world number one tennis player Roger Federer continued to display some of the skills that made him one of the best players of the game when he cruised past Frenchman Richard Gasquet at the All-England Club in straight sets 7-6 6-1 6-4.
The 39-year-old has not been a contending player in any recent majors and is not considered a favourite at Wimbledon in his recovering comeback from an extended injury layoff, but he looked typically in his elements as he triumphed in Centre Court.
The opening set was where Gasquet gave him a headache and the typically sweatless Federer struggled ferociously from the back of the court while the Frenchman attacked the set with zeal. It appeared Gasquet was prepared to break the jinx of never having won a set against the Swiss legend.
The tussle between both continued until the tie-break when Federer stepped on the accelerator to take it 7-1 for a first set lead with consummate ease. It was a straining set that warmed both players well enough to enter the next set primed for another go.
However, it was Federer that came with a plan for taking the set. But for the single game that Gasquet managed in the nick of time, he could have been bagelled by the Swiss maestro’s 6-1 claim of the second set. The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion wound back the hands of time to produce some good tennis to appreciative applauses.
For the third set, a middle ground was found with both players holding serve until Federer secured a crucial break of serve to hold on to his advantage and comfortably close the game 6-4 for a third round date with British number two Cameron Norrie.
Norrie, the 25-year-old home favourite triumphed in straight sets 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 against Australia’s Alex Bolt earlier in the day and when asked about the prospect of facing Federer, Norrie joked: “Come on Gasquet!”
He then added: “It would be special to play Roger or Richard. They’re both very experienced players and another opportunity to get out on the court and enjoy another match here out at Wimbledon.
“If there was a time to play Roger now is probably the time I guess. He’s still a decent player though, he still can play!”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
