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Marat Safin, a US Open and Australian Open champion during his glory days before a slump sent his career into freefall, stunned the 21-year-old world number three 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 with a magical Centre Court display on Wednesday.
On Court One, women's top seed Ivanovic, buoyed by her French Open triumph, had to save two match points in extraordinary circumstances to see off France's experienced Nathalie Dechy 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 10-8.
There were no such dramas for five-time men's champion Roger Federer who eased into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Robin Soderling.
It was the world number one's seventh win in seven meetings with the 23-year-old Swede and the comfortable manner of his victory would have been aided by having seen dangerman Djokovic removed from his side of the draw.
"I'm very happy with the win," said Federer who was watched from the players' box by American pop star Gwen Stefani and will next meet France's Marc Gicquel for a place in the fourth round.
"The conditions were difficult; the sun was low so it was hard to see the ball in the last few points. So I was pleased to get through without playing a fourth set."
Source: By DDNEWS
Posted June 26th, 2008 by erku
