Federer into Wimbledon fourth round for 15th time

LONDON: Seven-time champion Roger Federer reached the Wimbledon fourth round for the 15th time on Saturday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany´s Mischa Zverev.

Federer will face Bulgaria´s Grigor Dimitrov on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I thought it was a fun match to play against a serve-and-volley player. You´ll always see some lobs, passing shots and drop shots," said Federer after a fifth win over Zverev, three of which have come this year.

The victory was the Swiss star´s 317th at a Grand Slam as he continues his bid to become the oldest ever Wimbledon champion.

"We go one round at a time and I must say it´s always the first goal to get to the second week at some stage," he said.

"I´m very happy now to sit back, relax a day and come back strong, hopefully on Monday."

Federer has never lost to Dimitrov in five meetings.

However, just like the Swiss, 13th seeded Dimitrov has yet to drop a set at this year´s Wimbledon and was a semi-finalist in 2014.

"Every time I play against him he´s stronger than the time before. He´s in the perfect age right now where he starts to understand his game best," Federer said.

"He´s physically strong, he´s mentally taken the next step again. That´s what you expect from a player of his calibre.

"I´m ready for a tough one but sure again, another exciting match because he´s a great shotmaker."