Roger Federer competed in the third round at Wimbledon for the second time in three years, beating Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and finding himself at the All England Club in the second week again in 2003. Roger played well against Hyung-Taik Lee and Stefan Koubek in the previous rounds, losing serve three times and only spending three hours on the court to save energy for the American who took a set from the Swiss before he went Federer lost through in the fourth round.
Roger blocked five out of six break chances, suffered a break that cost him the third set, and dominated others to seal the deal just before dark after two rain delays. The Swiss picked up the first two sets in no time, struggled to break his opponent in the third and gave up the serve once to hand the set over to Mardy, who couldn’t hold that level in the fourth set when he broke twice has been.
Roger Federer, who triumphed at 5-1 and rushed to quit, nearly suffered a break but stayed calm to go over the top in the last few moments before dark.
Roger Federer ousted Mardy Fish in the third round at Wimbledon in 2003
“I’m happy to finish the game after so many breaks in one day, in the end it got dark. I grabbed the second break and served to win, almost abandoned the service game because I wanted to finish as soon as possible .
I think I played a good game today. I’m happy to be there in the second week, to pass three tough laps at the beginning and after a few days off to concentrate on my closest rival.
Still, I don’t want to look beyond my next opponent; There’s no room for that, and I don’t want to make a mistake. I want to keep the same attitude I had during the first week and hope to be able to carry them into the second week.
I keep emotions aside. I’m happy when I hit a good shot, but there are moments of disappointment when I’m wrong. I’ve come to a point where I don’t have to express it on the pitch and I have my emotions under control.
I have a feeling that in the next match if I show too much it could hurt. It is good for me to leave emotions aside and I like my behavior; that’s the most important. In the Davis Cup, I probably show more emotions, especially when we play at home.
Still, my Davis Cup games are usually straightforward and I don’t have to pump my fists. Feliciano Lopez is tough around grass, a left-handed man with a big serve and slices; he is dangerous.
I didn’t see him play and I have to ask people or look for some of his games. I practiced with him in Halle this year and that was his first hit on grass; he wasn’t quite in it. I have to prepare for a strong fight, ”said Roger Federer.
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