Gael Monfils has revealed he has finally learned how to love grass after reaching Wimbledon’s third round for the second year running.
Frenchman Monfils edged past Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) on Wednesday to book a clash with 11th seed Sam Querrey.
Even after beating Britain’s Kyle Edmund in the second round last year, Monfils maintained he harboured a serious dislike for the grass.
But now the 31-year-old believes he has discovered a new-found appreciation for his least-favourite surface.
“After years and years of improving slowly, finally I can say that I like the grass,” said Monfils.
“I’m happy, with the way I’ve played in these two matches. I’m trying to like the grass as much now as I like playing tennis.
“I’ve had to have the mindset that it’s just another surface.”
Roger Federer has a long-lasting love affair with the courts, and the top seed put on a scintillating display as he destroyed Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4 6-1 in just 90 minutes.
He showed off a great variety of shots, firing down 48 winners, which included one outrageous drop shot in the first set that left Lacko with his hands on his hips.
Federer said: “I played very well again, I felt good out there, less nerves than in the first round, which is normal.
“I am happy with how I am hitting the ball and concentration on my own service games and I am able to mix it up on return.
“I needed to put him away and I was able to do that and I am very happy.”
Canada’s 13th seed Milos Raonic swept past Australian John Millman in straight sets, but in predictably attritional fashion, requiring three tie-breaks for victory.
Raonic drove home 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4), to book a third-round clash with Dennis Novak, who toppled 17th seed Lucas Pouille in a fine five-set victory.
Big-serving Raonic revealed he has been battling a minor virus, but insisted he feels in good condition.
“I’ve just had a bit of a reaction, like a bit of a lung reaction, a virus,” said Raonic.
“I feel good, and the body has behaved (after a string of injuries). Obviously we are very cautious with it, because it’s tough to ask the body to stop and start all the time.”
Big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic served 61 aces but still slipped to a galling five-set defeat, to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
Struff prevailed 6-7 (5/7) 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) 13-11 in a clash lasting almost four hours, and he will face Federer next.
Third seed Marin Cilic was heading for a straight-sets victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella, when rain interrupted proceedings.
Cilic surprisingly had his serve broken when they briefly returned before darkness fell, and will resume with a 6-3 6-1 3-4 lead on Thursday.
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