Roger Federer advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon by beating 2002 runner-up David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday.
Federer is bidding to equal the record of seven Wimbledon titles, held by Pete Sampras and Willie Renshaw.
Federer was broken once in the first set but dominated the rest of the way on Centre Court against Nalbandian. It was the 19th career meeting between the two, with Federer now leading 11-8.
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“A guy who can beat me eight times knows how to do it nine times, and that’s why I’m really pleased to come through,” said Federer, whose only wobble came when he blew an easy smash on his first match point.
Federer, who lost to Berdych in the quarterfinals in 2010, said he is playing better than last year. He hasn’t dropped a set so far.
“Maybe I’m just a bit more confident on my serve,” he said. “And then obviously more relaxed on the baseline and on the return, and it seems like it’s working. But it's only the first week, and I hope I can keep it going.”
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Schiavone, Monfils exit
Sixth-seeded Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 French Open champion, lost to Tamira Paszek of Austria in a three-set marathon – 3-6, 6-4, 11-9.
Ninth-seeded Gael Monfils lost to 93rd-ranked Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Kubot, who won three qualifying matches to get into the main draw, is the first Pole to reach the fourth round here since Wojtek Fibak in 1981.
Xavier Malisse, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2002, ousted Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0, to earn a fourth round meeting with Tomic. No. 7 David Ferrer and No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced to a fourth round meeting after straight set wins over Karol Beck and Fernando Gonzalez, respectively.
No. 18 Ana Ivanovic, a former top-ranked player and 2008 French Open champion, was knocked out by Petra Cetkovska, 6-2, 7-6 (0).