Roger Federer beat Richard Gasquet in straight sets on Thursday to become the oldest man to reach the third-round at Wimbledon since 1975.
Federer cruised past Gasquet by a 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 6-4 score.
Federer seeking 9th career Wimbledon title
Gasquet has never won a set off Federer in five Grand Slam meetings, and Federer holds a 19-2 career record against the Frenchman.
Ken Rosewall made it to the fourth round at Wimbledon at the age of 40 back in 1975. Federer is currently 39, and will turn 40 next month. While Federer was pleased with his performance, he said he’s not reading too much into his first two matches at Wimbledon.
“It’s not the most important to feel your absolute best in the first and second round,†Federer said. “You just don’t want to go out.â€
While Federer isn’t the favorite for Wimbledon this year, sportsbooks still give him an outside chance at adding a 21st career Grand Slam title. FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as a +1200 pick, making him joint third-choice with Matteo Berrettini, behind only favorite Novak Djokovic (-185) and Daniil Medvedev (+700).
Coco Gauff also reached the third round on Thursday, beating Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court. Guaff famously made a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon two years ago, and made her first Grand Slam quarterfinals appearance last month at the French Open.
“My goal is to always win the tournament regardless of my ranking or what people think of me,†Gauff said afterward. “What I will say is that goal I guess is more clear right now than it was in 2019.â€
Gauff stands as the +1200 fourth choice at FanDuel, with Ashleigh Barty (+350) ranking as the clear favorite after the departure of Serena Williams.
Murray faces Shapovalov as underdog on Friday
Barty also advanced on Thursday, moving past Anna Blinkova by a 6-4, 6-3 score. The biggest upset of the day saw Poland’s Magda Linette beat No. 3 -seeded Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4.
“I think she was taking everything in her hands, and I was a bit passive,†Svitolina said, explaining her loss. “She played really clean today and really was striking the ball unbelievable. Made a lot of winners … I was not taking my opportunities.â€
| Wimbledon Odds: Friday Matches (via FanDuel Sportsbook) | |
| No. 11 Garbine Muguruza: -166 | No. 21 Ons Jabeur: +136 |
| No. 1 Novak Djokovic: -8000 | Denis Kudla: +2000 |
| No. 22 Dan Evans: -110 | Sebastian Korda: -110 |
| No. 13 Elise Mertens: -110 | No. 23 Madison Keys: -110 |
| No. 10 Denis Shapovalov: -365 | Andy Murray: +285 |
The biggest match at Wimbledon on Friday features the resurgent Andy Murray taking on No. 10 seed Denis Shapovalov on Centre Court. While Murray will enter the match as the sentimental favorite, the Canadian is the oddsmakers’ choice. FanDuel Sportsbook makes Shapovalov the -365 pick over Murray (+285).
Also on Friday, No. 13 seed Elise Mertens will take on No. 23 Madison Keys in a key third-round matchup. Both women come in as -110 picks to advance. The winner will become a serious threat to win Wimbledon: both are currently listed at +3000 odds, but that number will drop significantly for whoever moves on.
