- Eight-time champion wins 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
- Federer into fourth round for the 18th time
After a trying opening round match that ended in the retirement of his surging opponent, Adrian Mannarino, then a routine second round win against his historic punching bag, Richard Gasquet, as Roger Federer stepped onto Centre Court to face Cameron Norrie, his form was still a source of curiosity. Theoretically, by retrieving far more balls, committing fewer errors and playing with confidence, it was believed that Norrie might just be able offer enough resistance to cause him discomfort.
That is how their third round match played out but only small parts of it, as Federer cruised for two sets then very nearly found himself in a five-set shootout. Eventually, he recovered to reach the second week with a tough 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win. Federer has now reached the fourth round at Wimbledon a record-extending 18 times and he remains the all-time leader for grand slam fourth-round appearances after his 69th this week.
