PLENTY of intriguing results came to light on a huge fourth day of men’s action at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, with a number of unseeded Australians making their way into a huge third round of action while Roger Federer was amongst the successful seeds on the day.

Federer’s pursuit for one last grand slam title continued following a straight sets victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet, challenged in the first before completing the 7-6(1) 6-1 6-4 result, becoming the oldest player in 46 years to reach the third round. Federer hit 10 aces and won an impressive 84 per cent of his first serve points off a 65 per cent clip, also hitting 50 winners for just 26 unforced errors throughout the one hour and 51-minute clash.

“I know Richard really well,” said Federer. “We’ve played so many times against each other. It’s always a pleasure playing against him. He’s got the most wonderful backhand… It was a wonderful match for me. I was really happy with my performance today. A tough first set and a great second set. I was just a little bit better in the third. I’m very, very happy, of course.

“It’s not the most important to feel your absolute best in the first and second rounds. What you don’t want to do is go out. Because then you’ve got to really look at everything and question yourself. I’m not there. I’m in the third round, I’m really happy with my level right now. Today was special, so I’m very happy with that.”

Federer will take on hometown hopeful Cameron Norrie in the third round, after the 29th seed Brit defeated wildcard Australian Alex Bolt in just over 90 minutes to earn his maiden third round appearance.

“I hope the crowd’s going to get into it, regardless of who they cheer for,” said Federer. “I understand if it’s for him, but if it’s for me, it’s because of the past 20 years of big matches I’ve played here. Cam’s a good guy, too. He’s had a wonderful year. Played great at Queen’s and he’s backing it up here. I know it’s going to be a tough match and I’m happy for him it’s going well. But enough now, he needs to go out!”

Second seed Russian Daniil Medvedev continued his strong form on grass, downing teen Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, requiring just one hour and 35 minutes to claim the 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory. Medvedev commended Alcaraz’s effort, especially given the teen’s penchant for the clay surface over grass.

“The faster you go at a Grand Slam the better, but Carlos is an amazing player,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “I was actually even surprised in a way with the first set. Grass is definitely not his best surface, but he was giving it all there. Of course [in the] second and third sets, maybe the gap was too high. But I’m sure he’s going to be sooner or later in the Top 10 and maybe even higher.”

Meanwhile, fourth seed Alexander Zverev overcame Tennys Sandgren with his service game and 13 aces doing the talking, as seventh and eighth seeds Matteo Berrettini and Roberto Bautista Agut both claimed second round victories. Bautista Agut was one of just two players to win in five – the other American Taylor Fritz against compatriot Steve Johnson – in three hours and 33 minutes. Five more seeds claimed wins, as 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz defeated another American in Marcos Giron in three, while 16th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, 17th seed Cristian Garin, 23rd seed Lorenzo Sonego and 32nd seed Marin Cilic were all taken to four sets. Just two seeds fell, with 13th seed Frenchman Gael Monfils going down to Spaniard Pedro Martinez, while 18th seed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov also fell, going down in straight sets to Kazakh Alexander Bublik in three.

A trio of Australians reigned supreme, as fan favourite Nick Kyrgios overcame Italian Gianluca Mager, while James Duckworth took down another American in Sam Querrey and Kei Nishikori fell to Jordan Thompson. Nishikori’s compatriot Yoshihito Nishioka had little more luck, going down to Aljaz Bedene in just 84 minutes – the quickest of the day by over 10 minutes – as Ilya Ivashka was the remaining winner on a hug day of action.

WIMBLEDON ROUND OF 64 RESULTS:

[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [WC] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 6-4 6-1 6-2
[4] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated Tennys Sandgren (USA) 7-5 6-2 6-3
[6] Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Richard Gasquet (FRA) 7-6 6-1 6-4
[7] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated [LL] Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-3 6-4 7-6
[8] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-3 6-3 6-7 3-6 6-3
Pedro Martinez (ESP) defeated [13] Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-3 6-4 4-6 7-6
[14] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) defeated Marcos Giron (USA) 6-3 6-2 6-4
[16] Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) defeated Mikael Ymer (SWE) 6-4 4-6 7-6 6-1
[17] Cristian Garin (CHI) defeated [Q] Marc Polmans (AUS) 7-6 6-2 2-6 7-6
Alexander Bublik (KAZ) defeated [18] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 6-4 7-6 7-6
[23] Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) defeated Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-1
[29] Cameron Norrie (GBR) defeated [WC] Alex Bolt (AUS) 6-3 6-1 6-2
[31] Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated Steve Johnson (USA) 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 6-4
[32] Marin Cilic (CRO) defeated [Q] Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) 6-4 3-6 6-3 7-6
Aljaz Bedene (SLO) defeated Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-1 6-0 6-2
James Duckworth (AUS) defeated Sam Querrey (USA) 7-5 6-7 6-3 6-2
Ilya Ivashka (BLR) defeated Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) defeated Gianluca Mager (ITA) 7-6 6-4 6-4
Jordan Thompson (AUS) defeated Kei Nishikori (JPN) 7-5 6-4 5-7 6-3

Picture credit: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian