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Roger Federer has become the first player to notch up 350 match wins at majors after beating Lucas Pouille 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in the Wimbledon’s third round.
Roger Federer has kept tennis statisticians on their toes as he mopped up a few more records by trampling all over Lucas Pouille’s dreams in a rip-roaring 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The Swiss on Saturday became the first player – man or woman – to notch up 350 match wins at the majors.
But as the father of two sets of twins, Federer seems to have a penchant for doing things in pairs and this time was no different as he also set a professional era record of reaching the last 16 for the 17th time – surpassing the previous benchmark he had shared with Jimmy Connors.
But the Swiss is unlikely to be popping champagne corks to celebrate either milestone as he has his eyes firmly set on a much, much bigger prizes – a record ninth Challenge Cup and a 21st grand slam title.
“I know back in the amateur times, they were not playing all the slams because it was too far to travel to some places,” said the Swiss after saluting the crowd which included grand slam champions of the calibre of Rod Laver, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova.
“It’s a nice number to achieve and I have enjoyed my time at the slams. They’ve given me some of the most memorable and special moments on a tennis court, so of course it’s nice winning that much.
“I don’t know how many years I have got left but at the moment I am really enjoying myself. I love to move on the grass, it comes very naturally to me so for me to win today was great … it’s been wonderful.”
Australian Open semi-finalist Pouille was cheered on by his coach Amelie Mauresmo as he played his part in an entertaining match that was more keenly contested than the score suggests but he bowed out after netting a backhand on Federer’s third match point.
“It was tough. It was a hard-fought match especially in that first set. He had break point at 5-all. It was a tough hold there and go on a little run there, that was nice,” summed up Federer.
“That was maybe the key to the match. In the third it was tough, it was very even so there is always a relief winning a third set breaker because if it goes the other way, we might be here for another few hours.”
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