If tennis was all about the Big Serve, Sam Groth would be in the fourth round of Wimbledon instead of Roger Federer, who dropped a set for the first time in the tournament on day six. At least the Australian gave it his best shot.
The last thing tennis fans wanted was another earthquake in the men’s draw, and the Swiss was determined, in his quiet way, not to let them down against an opponent of raw power but less sharp in some other areas of the game. Federer won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 in two and a quarter hours.