Federer returns to No. 1 court in style, reaches Wimbledon third round

The last time Roger Federer stepped on No.1 Court, it was a day to forget for the Swiss, who lost from match point up to Kevin Anderson in the 2018 Wimbledon quarterfinals.

On Thursday, the second seed quickly erased that painful defeat from his memory, posting a 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over Jay Clarke to secure a place in the third round of the London major.

It was a big opportunity for Clarke to play against his idol, whom he tailored his game after.

“I always looked up to him. Tried to copy a lot of the stuff he does,” said Clarke after his first-round match on Tuesday. But I did that with all the big ones, to be honest. It's going to be a fun match.”

The 20-year-old British wild card, who was born just weeks after Federer won the Wimbledon boys’ singles crown in 1998, was looking for his third main-draw match at a major.

Despite the home crowd getting behind him, Clarke was unable to provide much resistance to Federer. The eight-time Wimbledon champion was very quick on his feet, applying an effective serve-and-volley tactic against his unseasoned opponent. Unlike his opening match where he lost the first set, this time Federer dropped just one game before claiming it.

Clarke put up a formidable fight in the second set, earning an early mini break in the tiebreaker, but his more experienced foe shut him down. A letdown followed, with the youngster starting the third set flat. Federer revved it up to close out the match in straight sets.

"t was a good start to the match, which is always nice, especially after the last game, you know, trying to do a better job there," said Federer. "I was trying to be more aggressive, you know, than in my previous match. I was able to do that. Also the reaction was good again in the third. Obviously was a bit tight in the second. But I was able to hold my nerve and serve well when I had to.

"It was very much dominated by my serves, I thought my service games. Then on the return, just tried my best. Sometimes it was working, sometimes not, which is normal I think on the grass."

At 37, Federer is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to contend for his 21st major trophy. He and main rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have racked up a total 53 Grand Slam titles.

"I don't know if we'd still be playing if maybe would have played in different eras," told press before Wimbledon. "But it's been fun having us, from my side. I don't know, I hope the fans enjoyed, because I think we all have very different characters—they could like either player."

If the Swiss reaches the semifinals, he can add another record to his long list; he will become the first ATP player to win 100 matches at a single major tournament. Had Federer reached the Australian Open final in January, he would have achieved it there.

Up next for Federer is either 27th-seeded Lucas Pouille or Gregoire Barrere. He won his only previous match against Pouille, back in 2014. If he faces Barrere, it will be a first-time experience.