Flawless Federer defeats Pouille to notch 350th major match win
Federer advanced to the Wimbledon fourth round for a record 17th time and will next face Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
Second seed Roger Federer booked his spot in the second week of Wimbledon for a record 17th time on Saturday with an impressive 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over 27th-seeded Lucas Pouille. With the third-round win, Federer extended his Grand Slam singles match wins record to an even 350. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is the next closest with 273.
Federer dazzled the Centre Court crowd with a vintage display of raw talent and shotmaking. After saving a crucial break point at 5-5 in the first set, the Swiss Maestro reeled off six consecutive games, putting Pouille in a virtual chokehold.
Pouille fought back valiantly, pushing Federer to the brink in a third set tiebreaker. But in the end, he was unable to match the level of the eight-time Wimbledon champion, who struck 39 winners compared to just 14 unforced errors.
In the round of 16, Federer will face huge-hitting 17th seed Matteo Berrettini, who is a sizzling 11-1 on grass this season. The Italian saved a pair of match points in his 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over No. 24 seed Diego Schwartzman. This will be the first meeting between the 37-year-old Federer and the 23-year-old Berrettini.
