“Despite the credit crunch, we’ve had a 35 percent increase in sales from 2008 and that has been a surprise,” a Wimbledon official said.
On Friday, Roger Federer lost a set for the first time this week, but advanced to the second week at Wimbledon by beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1.
Federer was a break up in the fourth set before losing his focus, two errant forehands costing him the tiebreaker. That merely extended his Centre Court workout by half an hour.
“It has been a good first week,” Federer said. “Pretty convincing. I thought this was my best match of the tournament, even though I dropped a set.”
Federer earned a berth in the fourth round tomorrow against a familiar foe — Robin Soderling.
Federer beat Soderling in the French Open final this month to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, tying Pete Sampras’ record.
Soderling reached the fourth round for the first time in seven appearances at Wimbledon by beating Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4. The Swede lost only three points on his first serve and never faced a break point.
No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic, who could face Federer in the semi-finals, defeated American Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Unseeded Dudi Sela became the first Israeli man in 20 years to reach the fourth round when he beat No. 15 Tommy Robredo 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
No. 22 Ivo Karlovic hit 46 aces, the last on match point, and beat No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).
In women’s play, 19-year-old Victoria Azarenka made a successful Centre Court debut by beating Sorana Cirstea 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.
Gisela Dulko, who upset 2004 champion Maria Sharapova in the second round, was eliminated by No. 10 Nadia Petrova 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Seventh-seeded Vera Zvonareva, slowed by an ankle injury since April, pulled out before her match against No. 26 Virginie Razzano.
Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva, a semi-finalist last year, cruised past qualifier Regina Kulikova 6-1, 6-2.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
RSS