LONDON: Former Wimbledon champions Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic hit top form as they booked their spots in the last 16 on Saturday.

Third seed Federer, a seven-time winner, eased past German Mischa Zverev 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4 in one hour 49 minutes to reach round four for the 14th time in his last 15 appearances.

The 35-year-old Swiss recorded an astonishing tally of 61 winners to book a clash with Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The Swiss great said: “I’m very happy now to sit back, relax a day and come back strong, hopefully, on Monday”, when he faces Grigor Dimitrov, who has been nicknamed “Baby Fed”.

“Every time I play against him he’s stronger than the time before. I’m ready for a tough one but sure again, another exciting match because he’s a great shotmaker.”

All the men’s and women’s fourth round matches take place on Monday.

Earlier, three-time champion Djokovic was impressive during his 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

After the grass-court Grand Slam tournament’s traditional middle Sunday off, he will face 51st-ranked Adrian Mannarino after the Frenchman defeated compatriot and 15th seed Gael Monfils in five sets.

“I’m delighted with the performance. I thought I raised the level of tennis,” said three-time champion Djokovic after making the second week without dropping a set.

German 10th seed Alexander Zverev, Mischa’s younger brother, beat Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Tomas Berdych, the 2010 finalist, beat David Ferrer in straight sets. The Czech 11th seed will play Austrian eighth seed Dominic Thiem who saw off Jared Donaldson of the United States in straight sets.

Saturday’s remaining results (prefix number denotes seeding):

Men’s singles:

Third round: 8-Dominic Thiem (Austria) bt Jared Donaldson (US) 7-5, 6-4, 6-2; 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) bt 27-Mischa Zverev (Germany) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4; 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) bt Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2); 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) bt Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2; 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) bt David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Adrian Mannarino (France) bt 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 5-7, 6-3.

Women’s singles:

Third round: 5-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) bt Anett Kontaveit (Estonia) 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2017