Eight-time Wimbledon singles champion Roger Federer posted yet more landmarks on Saturday as all the main contenders encountered few problems in reaching the last 16.
Photo: AFP Switzerland's Roger Federer waves as he leaves the court after beating France's Lucas Pouille during their men's singles third round match on the sixth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Federer registered a record 350th win in Grand Slam matches in his 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Lucas Pouille of France and in the process reached the fourth round for an unprecedented 17th time.
"It's a nice number to achieve. I've enjoyed my time at the Slams," said Federer, who next plays Matteo Berrettini of Italy, of his Grand Slam record.
"It's been nice winning that much."
Earlier, his great rival and two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal had a much more enjoyable experience than his previous match as he eased into the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 romp over French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Nadal, who embraced Tsonga fondly at the end in stark contrast to the chilly handshake he had with fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios in the previous round, said he was delighted with the manner of his victory.
"I was very happy. I played a great match from the beginning to the end," said Nadal.
He next plays Portugal's Joao Sousa who ended British hopes with a five-set win over Dan Evans.
Seven-time women's champion Serena Williams is also into the second week for the 16th time.
Williams and Ashleigh Barty could meet in a blockbuster quarter-final if they win their last 16 matches on 'Manic Monday'.
Barty overwhelmed British wild card Harriet Dart 6-1, 6-1 while 37-year-old, seven-time champion Williams produced her most convincing display in dispensing with German Julia Goerges 6-3, 6-4.
While Barty will be in new territory playing singles at Wimbledon in the second week for the first time, for Williams it is the 16th.
Barty, bidding to become the first Australian Wimbledon women's champion since Evonne Goolagong Cawley won her second title in 1980, will play unseeded American Alison Riske for a place in the last eight.
She is also the first Australian woman to make the second week since 2010.
"Incredible it is a first for me (to be in the last 16), new territory for me."
Williams goes on to face Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in the quarter-finals.
Eleventh seed Williams, who defeated Goerges in last year's semi-finals, is bidding to equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
"It's been an arduous year for me, so every match I'm hoping to improve tons," said Williams, who had a knee problem which affected her season.
