Wimbledon 2018: Roger Federer marches on as Gael Monfils and Alexander Zverev join him in fourth round

In winning in just 94 minutes on Centre Court, Federer did not have to defend a single break point as he beat the big-serving Jan-Lennard Struff

Some of the big names are continuing to fall by the wayside, particularly in the women’s draw, but Roger Federer marches on. The 36-year-old Swiss continued his pursuit of a ninth Wimbledon singles title here on Friday with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff.

In winning in just 94 minutes on Centre Court, Federer did not have to defend a single break point as he beat the big-serving German to take his run of consecutive sets won at the All England Club to 29.

Federer, who is the only semi-finalist from last year left in either of the singles draws, always looked in command, though Struff offered stern resistance at times and especially in the second set.

“I'm happy I found a way today,” Federer said afterwards when asked about the challenge of beating a big server. “There were some moments where it can be frustrating because you're not finding any rhythm. At times you're more reacting than playing active tennis.

“But it's OK. I knew that going in. I'm just very pleased that I found a way in that first set and then stayed calm in the second set, regardless that I had maybe missed opportunities.He was always going to be a tough third-round opponent.”

Federer, who is through to the second week here for the 16thtime, now faces France's Adrian Mannarino, who beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3. “In the next round it will be a lefty,” Federer said. “It will be much more of a strategic match, I believe, the way Mannarino plays.”

Sam Querrey, who knocked out Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in his last two Wimbledons, was beaten 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 by France’s Gael Monfils, who is through to the fourth round for the first time, having fallen in the third round on six previous occasions. Monfils will now face another big server in Kevin Anderson, who beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3,7-5,7-5.

Alexander Zverev, the No 4 seed, recovered from two sets to one down to beat Taylor Fritz6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 and reach the third round for the third year in a row. The match resumed after being called off for the day in fading light on Thursday just after Fritz had won the tie-break at the end of the third set 7-0.

“Stopping at 2-1 down was not a nice feeling but I played better than yesterday,” Zverev said afterwards. “I think today I showed I am playing my best tennis.”

Roger Federer is safely through (Getty)

John Isner reached the fourth round for the first time by beating Moldova’s Radu Albot 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. The American will now face one of the game’s most exciting teenagers after 19-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first Greek man to reach last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament in the open era when he beat Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in just 91 minutes.