The third Sunday action in Wimbledon history saw the two top men's seeds, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, stay firmly on course for what would be a titanic final in one week's time.
Federer was imperious in dismissing Sweden's Thomas Johansson in straight sets on the Centre Court while Roddick outgunned Taylor Dent on No.1 Court in a battle of the American heavyweights.
Main threats to the big two, Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis, also made it into the last 16, and they will go up against each other on Monday.
PHOTO: AFP
In the women's tournament, top seed and title-holder Serena Williams coasted past Spain's Magui Serna and there were comfortable wins also for her main challenger Amelie Mauresmo of France and for American Jennifer Capriati.
Top seed and defending champion Federer set up a last 16 meeting with Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic when he outclassed Johansson in a third round tie.
Karlovic, who ousted defending champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the first round last year, defeated Spain's Feliciano Lopez in four service-dominated sets.
PHOTO: AFP
A single break in each of the first two sets and two in the third were enough for Federer to win his 20th consecutive match on grass.
Opening activities on what was only the third time in Wimbledon history that the middle Sunday had been used for play, Federer never looked in any danger and in three rounds he has lost just 19 games and has yet to be broken on serve.
"I thought today was a tough match and a test. The other two games were too easy with washouts in the third sets, but this was really tough and I had to focus hard and not be broken," Federer said.
"I am feeling very good, better than last year because I know now I can win this tournament."
Roddick, losing semifinalist here last year to Federer and the No. 2 seed this time, maintained his supremacy over US contemporary Dent with a straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/1) win in a tie dominated by big serves.
The American let a match point slip away at 6-5 up in the fourth, but he dominated the decisive tie-break 7-1 ending it with another big serve.
Henman blew hot and cold against old rival Hicham Arazi of Morocco, going a break down in all four sets before winning 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
It was a performance that had a youthful and noisy Sunday afternoon crowd at times despairing and at times jubilant.
And it will have to be a much more consistent Henman who shows up on Monday if he is to stun "The Scud."
"It was difficult out there. It was very swirly and the quality of the tennis was not always great, but you just have to find a way through it," he said.
"I need to play a bit better [against Philippoussis] but I still fancy my chances."
A reborn Philippoussis came through against Chile's Fernando Gonzalez winning 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4.
There were third round wins also for German youngster Florian Mayer against South African veteran Wayne Ferriera and for 2002 semifinalist Xavier Malisse of Belgium in straight sets over Karol Beck of Slovakia.
Vincent Spadea ousted Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 whilst rising Croatian Mario Ancic defeated 25th seed Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia 7-5, 6-3, 7-5.
Serena Williams remained on course to become the first women to win three titles in a row since Steffi Graf (1991 to 1993) with a lop-sided 6-4, 6-0 win over the diminutive Serna.
Seventh seeded Capriati defeated Nathalie Dechy 7-5, 6-1 and she goes on to play Russian 10th seed Nadia Petrova who defeated in straight sets Tatiana Perebiynis of the Ukraine.
"It was a good win," she said. "The first set was a little bit tough but I stuck in there. it was a little bit of a test. Then I just really played well in the second set when I got going."
The conquerer of Venus Williams, 19-year-old Karolina Sprem of Croatia, kept a cool head on her to win two tie-breaks against veteran American Meghann Shaughnessy and she next plays Bulgarian veteran Magdalena Maleeva for a place in the quarterfinals.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely