SPORTS

Federer through after tough workout

June 24, 2010 00:52 IST

Six-times champion Roger Federer was forced to dig deep at Wimbledon again on Wednesday, the Swiss reaching the third round with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 victory over Serbian Ilija Bozoljac.

Federer, who came back from the brink to defeat Colombian Alejandro Falla in his opening match, had an uncomfortable time against the big-serving qualifier.

The number one seed, in unfamiliar territory on Court One, the first time he has been away from Centre Court at the All England Club since 2007, finally prevailed in two hours and 46 minutes.

Federer now takes on either Frenchman Arnaud Clement or Australian Peter Luczak.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic withstood some rocket-fuelled Taylor Dent serving on Wednesday to move impressively into the third round at Wimbledon.

The Serbian third seed, who toiled for five sets against Olivier Rochus in Monday's first round, was too good for the American as he claimed a 7-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Dent walloped down a serve at 148mph in the opening set, a delivery that beat the previous Wimbledon speed record of 146mph by Andy Roddick last year, but he ran out of steam.

Djokovic was untroubled after taking the first set on a tiebreak and completed his Centre Court victory in one hour and 57 minutes.

He will face Spain's Albert Montanes in round three.

Source: REUTERS
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