Two players, 104 matches apiece at the All England Club, and a combined age of 74 still dictating terms on grass. On a brisk day at Wimbledon 2018, Roger Federer and Venus Williams moved into the third round with statement wins that felt both familiar and fresh. Different scorelines, same message: experience travels well on Centre Court.
Federer sets a ruthless pace on Centre Court
Roger Federer didn’t linger. The defending champion dismantled Lukas Lacko 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 in just 89 minutes, a performance built on first-strike tennis and serve precision. He clocked 48 winners and 16 aces, and for long stretches, he floated through service games without drama. Lacko, a clean ball-striker in his own right, was squeezed out of rallies before they began.
The numbers carry weight beyond a single match. Federer pushed his winning streak at Wimbledon to 26 consecutive sets, tying his second-longest run at the tournament. His best mark—34 sets—came between the 2005 third round and the 2006 final. That’s the neighborhood he’s operating in right now: ruthless efficiency with a well-worn playbook on grass.
This was his 104th match at Wimbledon—now a men’s Open era record—and his 20th appearance at the Championships. He looked more relaxed than in the opener, saying he felt calmer, struck the ball cleanly, and stayed locked in on his service rhythm. Watching him move, you could see why his grass-court game ages so well: economy of steps, early contact, and a serve that buys him time to create with the forehand.
Lacko tried to attack second serves and change pace with low slices, but Federer’s answers came from all angles: the chipped backhand to reset points, the backhand down the line to flip defense into offense, and the short-angle forehand that yanks opponents off the court. Once Federer broke early in the third, the match was effectively sealed.
The chase is clear: a ninth Wimbledon title would pull him level with Martina Navratilova’s all-time singles mark at this event. That goal isn’t coloring every point—Federer rarely shows urgency this early in the fortnight—but the comfort he shows on grass signals he’s on track. The draw only gets trickier from here, yet his form suggests there’s margin to spare.
Venus flips the script after a shaky start
Venus Williams took the scenic route. Down a set to Romanian qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru, the five-time champion snapped into gear and ran away with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 win. It was a classic Venus turn: absorb the early push, then raise the speed limit. From 4-6 to the final handshake, she dictated rallies with flatter, deeper drives and found her serving groove.
The swing was stark. Dulgheru came out clean and fearless, redirecting pace and threading lines. Venus settled by stepping inside the baseline on returns, cutting off time, and leaning into the first strike. The 6-0 second set didn’t just flip the score; it changed the geometry. Williams started landing her first serve on big points, pinning Dulgheru into defensive corners, and pouncing on shorter replies.
This win carries layers. At 38 and ranked No. 9 by the WTA, Venus is eyeing her 50th career title and still holds a gear that scares opponents on grass. Wimbledon has been her stage for more than two decades—21 appearances, 104 matches, a trophy lift last in 2008, and a return to the final in 2017. The muscle memory on these lawns is real: she knows the skids, the bounces, the moments when patience beats pace.
Credit to Dulgheru, who earned her place through qualifying and pushed Williams early with smart patterns—using the backhand crosscourt to open the court and then going line to keep Venus honest. Once Williams found her depth, though, the match turned quickly. The one-two punch—serve plus the first forehand—looked vintage.
Longevity is the shared theme of the day. Federer and Williams don’t win only on talent; they win on choices. Lighter scheduling, targeted training, and a deep understanding of grass-court geometry keep them in the fight against younger legs. Grass rewards clarity—short points, aggressive positioning, and clean serving—and both have spent careers perfecting those patterns.
By the numbers, the snapshot is simple:
- Federer: 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 in 89 minutes; 48 winners, 16 aces; 26 straight sets at Wimbledon.
- Williams: 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 after dropping the opener; surged behind improved first-serve rhythm and depth on returns.
- Experience: 20 Wimbledon appearances for Federer, 21 for Williams; 104 matches each at the Championships.
- Targets: Federer pursuing a ninth Wimbledon crown; Williams chasing her 50th career title.
On a surface that rewards nerve and knack, both veterans showed why their names keep popping up in late-week conversations. The path forward will demand more—tighter serving, sharper returns, steadier footwork as the grass wears down—but their second-round wins sent a clear message to the field: they’re not here for a nostalgia tour. They’re here to contend.