Federer strolls into last 16

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Top seed Roger Federer sauntered into the last 16 of Wimbledon today with a regulation 6-3 7-6 6-4 victory over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.

His 44th consecutive grasscourt victory was never really in doubt against the 24-year-old former Wimbledon junior champion and he spent most of the match in cruise control.

Federer secured the first set with a solitary break and although he had to save one break point at 3-4 in a serve-dominated second set he stepped on the gas to win the tiebreak easily.

His only blemish came at 5-3 in the third set when he sloppily lost his serve but he immediately broke back with a searing backhand to end the contest just past the two-hour mark.

Reuters HS VV2228