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Roger Federer Into Wimbledon Quarter-Finals By Beating Adrian Mannarino

Defending champion Roger Federer outclassed France’s Adrian Mannarino to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals without dropping a set. “I wouldn’t know that it happened in ’05 and ’06, I feel like these streaks just happen,” he said.

Roger Federer

“I’m equally happy if I would have won all the matches in four sets. That it happened to be in straights, it helps me for to save energy for the rest of the tournament.”

Fast start for the ‘Fed Express’

Federer has been referred to as the ‘Fed Express’ by some – and the 20-time Grand Slam champion lived up to that moniker as he raced into full speed from the first ball.

He broke in the opening game and allowed Mannarino just two points on his way into a 5-0 lead as Centre Court witnessed one of the most one-sided encounters in recent years.

The crowd wanted a contest, and they got one in the second set.

Mannarino, 30, pushed Federer to 4-4, despite being unable to make any dents on his opponent’s accurate serving.

However, a poor service game in the 10th game – summed up by a wild forehand – allowed Federer to convert the decisive break of the second set.

Mannarino unable to dismantle Federer serve

Mannarino’s break point towards the end of the opening set was the first faced by Federer at this year’s Championships.

Federer, who had not faced one since the first set of last year’s final against Marin Cilic, also had to save three more in the eighth game of the third set.

With Mannarino realising his chance had gone, Federer broke in the next game and served out to reach the quarter-finals for an Open era record-extending 16th time.

Federer has won 81 consecutive games on serve at Wimbledon, and let Mannarino take just 17 points when receiving.

He has not dropped serve since Tomas Berdych took the eighth game of the first set in their semi-final last year.

“I was glad to win the first set so easily, it meant I always had the lead in the bag.

“I knew he was better than the first set, he showed that. In the beginning he didn’t play well and I didn’t miss much.”

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