Roger, Serena, Rafa bring the best to the Wimbledon Center Court

Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates victory over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in their men's match on the seventh day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on Monday, July 9, 2018. (Photo AP / Tim Ireland)

LONDON – They have roared for Roger Federer just to be introduced, hailing his arrival at the main stadium of Wimbledon as if his mere presence was enough to justify the price of admission.

They applauded and howled when Federer's fall caps a 16-minute tour de force of a first set in which he won 21 of the first 23 points.

They finally returned to the locker room with a standing ovation, recognizing the talent displayed by Federer in a 6-0 win, 7-5, 6-4 over 22, Adrian Mannarino, of France, in the fourth round on Monday, yes, but also his superiority during a career that produced eight Wimbledon championships and 20 Grand Slam titles, both records for a man

won 32 consec He asked himself if he had not even stopped a moment to wonder why he was not being given more than one test.

"Not really," said Federer, the No. 1 seed. "I say to myself, 'Why did not I break the first game of the second?' ""

His mastery was only the beginning of things for those who spent 120 pounds (about $ 160) to be at Center Court and Federer was followed by Serena Williams, she of the seven Wimbledon trophies among his 23 majors, who was barely challenged in a 6-2, 6 -2 win over qualifier 120th Evgeniya Rodina of Russia.And Williams was followed by Rafael Nadal – two titles at Wimbledon, 17 at all Slams – who expelled Jiri Vesely, of the Czech Republic, to the last row, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

The only other Wimbledon champion In one or the other of the categories , Novak Djokovic beat Karen Khachanov, ranked 40th, 6-4, 6-2, and 6-2 first, before declaring that he would like to have as much time on center court as Federer and Nadal.

Has Mannarino been intimidated into playing in this sacred arena?

"The fact that it is the Center Court, and the fact that there is much A lot of people in the stands, that does not change anything. The only thing different is that it's Federer in front of me, and it's a very good opponent. This makes the job more difficult, "said Mannarino." That's what's not easy to handle. "

He arrived wearing a white T-shirt, devoid of any logo of obvious sponsor, looking like someone for a casual hitting session in a public park.At least he seemed to be the right size.What a difference compared to a week ago when Federer's debut after a separation Nike has attracted so many headlines.

Mannarino had such a hard time winning a match, saving four break points to start the second set. "He was able to steer the water up to the end. 5-all, when Federer returned a 123mph service, quickly took control of a base exchange, then jumped and shouted, "Come!" As a reverse flew a long time for the break. also broke, then held to end the match.

"I think," Federer said when he was finished, "I can be e very happy. "

The women's quarterfinals are Tuesday, with Williams against Camila Giorgi, Angelique Kerber, double world champion, Daria Kasatkina, No. 14, Jelena Ostapenko, French champion, 2017, Dominika Cibulkova, and Julia Goerges, No. 13, No. 20, Kiki Bertens.

On Wednesday, Federer will play No. 8 Kevin Anderson, a South African who was a finalist at the 2017 US Open and advanced with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 5-7, 7 victory. -6 (4) on Gael Monfils.

"I mean, I'm definitely going to have to look at it the right way, I think the right way to look at it is this: it's an opportunity to measure myself against a player from Roger's caliber, "said Anderson, who is 0-4 against Federer. "These are the matches for which we work so hard, me and all my team."

The other match in the first half of the table is number 9 John Isner against number 13 Milos Raonic, who beat Federer in the 2016 semi-finals before losing in the final.

On the lower half of the category, it will be the 12-time champion Djokovic against Kei Nishikori, runner-up 2014, and Nadal, seeded No. 2 against the 2009 US Open Juan Martin del Potro or Gilles Simon. Del Potro led Simon two sets to one when their match was suspended due to the dark Monday night.

Anderson, Isner and Nishikori all reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time.

For Nadal, this marks a return. He has not been this far in the All England Club since 2011, losing to the men in 100th or worse on four of his last five participations.

"It's true, it's been a long time," said Nadal. "But when I come here, I come here thinking that I can make a good result, right?"

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