Despite dropping his first set of the week, Roger Federer beat Sam Groth 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-2 in round three of Wimbledon today.
Enjoying his best ever run at Wimbledon, Groth was today gifted the chance to grace centre court as a reward for his performances, facing world number two Federer on one of his favourite stages - one on which he has won seven titles.
The world number 66 is having a great year, having set a personal best at the Australian Open by reaching the third round, as well as qualifying for the French Open for the first time too, whilst reaching a career high ranking.
As for Federer, he has come into the tournament off the back of another title at Halle, and his great form has been evident, with him yet to drop a set this week. Victory over Damir Dzumhur and Nottingham finalist Sam Querrey set up the encounter with the Aussie Groth, who caused an upset in round one by knocking out 31st seed Jack Sock before eliminating fellow countryman James Duckworth in the second round.
Groth out-classed as Federer races ahead
The man with the fastest ever recorded serve, things started well for the underdog, with that incredible serve proving difficult for Federer to break. However, when the Swiss got the ball back in play, he was able to out-think his opponent, and this allowed him to see break points in the first game of the day, but Groth's power helped him pull through.
In open play, Groth was unable to match Federer, so his aim would just be to get as many first serves in as powerfully as possible to keep his opponent out.
Yet, his resistance was over rather quickly, Federer breaking midway through the first set and forcing Groth to rethink his tactics and contemplate a plan B.
Before he even had time to change his game plan though, his opponent was serving for the set and did so very comfortably, Groth unable to even come close to preventing him from taking the lead in the match. Whilst the world number 66 went for full power on his serve, the world number two was seeing success with a mixture of pace and placement that Groth found difficult to get near.
Whilst the Aussie was serving well when he got them in, he did bring the risk of double faults, making three in the first set and one at the beginning of the second that gave Federer a break point straight away. He took it too, producing a simply marvellous return that well and truly justified him taking the lead in this set.
Groth did start to change things up and was seeing more success at the net, but he began to overuse the tactic at times and was often beaten by Federer, who anticipated his next move too easily.
The second set saw the Aussie simply out-classed by Federer, with him comfortably leading by the break of serve as his opponent failed to get anywhere near breaking him, yet again, and getting back into the set. Eventually, Groth forced the Swiss to serve for the set after a great game of his own, which was no problem for Federer as he finished the set with 92 per cent of points on his first serve won, as well as a two set lead.
Groth fights back
Still, the Aussie really pushed Federer hard in set three, remaining defiant on serve and even posing some questions at times in the Swiss' games. Federer was countering Groth's new found success at the net very well, some lovely passing shots on show especially, but some of the volley's produced by his opponent were outstanding at times and helped him through the set well.
At 5-4, he forced Federer to serve to stay in the set, hopeful of breaking and getting back into the match, but, despite starting the first couple of points well with good returns, he was unable to keep up with his opponent in open play or deal with his strong forehand as the set remained on serve at 5-5.
A powerful forehand from Groth as Federer served to take the set to a tiebreak made the Aussie believe he could break and take the set instead, a hope that remained as the game went to deuce - the first on Federer's serve in the match.
However, the Swiss recovered with a no-nonsense overhead volley and some more good open play to force a tiebreak in third.
This then remained on serve for the first six points, until an uncharacteristic double fault by Federer gave Groth the first mini-break - one he consolidated with a delightful volley on the following point to lead 5-3.
More good net play then made this 6-3, giving Groth three set points, albeit two of these to be on Federer's serve. The Swiss' saved the first two as a result, but the Aussie was now one ace away from halving the deficit and decreasing Federer's lead to just one set.
He didn't manage to do it with an ace, but a serve and volley routine worked the treat just the same as Federer hit a shot down the line wide, dropping his first set of the week and giving his opponent hope in the match.
Federer unfazed and takes the victory
Yet, Groth was unable to carry the momentum gained from victory on the tiebreak into the fourth set, with him struggling to get first serves in and being broken in his first service game. Two good games from Federer himself either side of this break gave him a 3-0 lead as the finish line suddenly came within his sights.
Groth held his serve to add a game on the board, making it 3-1, but Federer's love service game that followed fully outlined just how in control of the match he was once again - and at such a crucial point.
He was showing no signs of being unsettled by dropping the third, and was simply back to doing what he does best now, despite Groth playing some delightful tennis on certain points in his own games.
Still, the seven-time Wimbledon champion and world number two was simply too good in the end, as he remained solid on serve and consistent in the fourth to take the set 6-2, winning by three sets to one.
Federer looks mentally and physically ready to take this tournament by storm this year, going about his business brilliantly and convincingly progressing as the rounds go on.
He will face Roberto Bautista Agut in round four, who today overcame world number 153 Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-6 6-0 6-1.