Wimbledon 2015: Roger Federer, Andy Murray Advance to Round 3

Swiss champ Roger Federer and Britain’s Andy Murray easily advance to round 3 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a shot through his legs during his match against Sam Querrey of the USA at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. (Photo: Reuters)

Roger Federer

It was not the first time Wimbledon had dissolved into a chorus ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ at the brilliance of Roger Federer but the Swiss ringmaster almost outdid himself when he flashed his racquet between his legs to lob Sam Querrey on Thursday.

That individual moment of magic came midway through the second set of a 6-4 6-2 6-2 second-round victory and summed up an effortlessly brilliant demolition job from Federer, whose bid for an eighth Wimbledon title took an impressive step forwards.

While not given the greatest test, Federer took the chance to rehearse his repertoire of stunning groundstrokes, breaking for a 5-4 lead with a scorching backhand crosscourt pass.

(Photo: Reuters)

Having clinched the first set, he stepped on the gas, immediately breaking again at the start of the second before bringing out the party piece while leading 4-2.

Federer broke twice in the second and third sets and finished off the contest in an hour and 21 minutes to set up a clash with Australia’s Sam Groth.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray of Britain returns a ball to Robin Haase of the Netherlands, during their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London. (Photo: AP)

When a totally off-balance Andy Murray fashioned the most improbable lob winner to break Robin Haase in the first set on Thursday the Dutchman must have known that his 2015 Wimbledon journey was going to end sooner rather than later.

The delectable lob that bounced off the Scot’s racket gave him a 4-1 advantage and effectively broke Haase’s spirit as the 2013 champion sprinkled his opponent’s half of the court with 25 glorious winners to sprint to a 6-1 6-1 6-4 second-round win.