Wimbledon (United Kingdom) (AFP)

Roger Federer, 8th in the world, ramped up Thursday at Wimbledon to eliminate Frenchman Richard Gasquet (56th) 7-6 (7/1), 6-1, 6-4, after a difficult first round where he had benefited from the Adrian Mannarino's retirement before the fifth set.

Almost 40 years old, the Swiss, finalist in 2019 and who is aiming for a 9th coronation on London turf to bring his record for Grand Slam titles to 21, will face Briton Cameron Norrie (34th in the world) in the next round.

The two players have never faced each other before.

"I'm very happy with my game. After a difficult first set, I had a very good second," commented Federer.

Indeed, it took him about three quarters of an hour to find the right fuel.

The time to reach the tie break of the first round, he indeed committed 13 unforced errors (against 8 for Gasquet), for 18 winning shots made (12 for Gasquet).

And he only got one break point without managing to materialize it.

Gasquet, himself, procured 3, without result either.

But in the decisive game, Federer's level suddenly went up a notch and he left no chance for the Frenchman.

On his momentum, he won five games in a row to secure the win in the second set.

He committed during this second set only 6 unforced errors for 17 winning strokes (4 and 4 for Gasquet), and won the two break points he got.

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The game rebalanced somewhat in the third set, but Federer broke to lead 4-3, then 5-3 and got a first match point on Gasquet's serve.

But the French saved her and the ex-world No. 1 concluded with his next service game.

"Being at your best in the first and second rounds is not an objective in itself: you have to pass," he said.

"Now I'm in the third round and I'm happy with the way I'm playing," added the Swiss, who reached the third round at Wimbledon for the 18th time in his career.

Throughout his match, he was able to count, as always, on the unconditional support of the public.

But the latter did not fail to applaud the few very good points scored by the Frenchman, as when he played cat and mouse with Federer when the Swiss was two points away from the match.

Beaten in the 2nd round at Roland Garros by the master of the premises Rafael Nadal, Gasquet was again eliminated in the 2nd round of Wimbledon by the lord of the premises Roger Federer, but he was loudly applauded by a standing audience when he left the Center Court.

For ten years, and the second and last victory for Gasquet, the Frenchman has not taken a set from Federer in 11 games.

In total, the Swiss now has 19 wins and 2 losses against Gasquet.

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The latter reached the round of 16 on London turf in 2016 but since he had not passed the first round.

He had played the semi-finals there in 2015 and 2007, which to this day remains his best result in a Grand Slam tournament, also achieved at the US Open in 2013.

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