LONDON, 28 June 2004 — Champion Roger Federer continued his sure and steady march through the Wimbledon field yesterday, sweeping aside the challenge of Swede Thomas Johansson to reach the fourth round.
The Swiss top seed was joined by second seed Andy Roddick, who won his a battle of the big servers with fellow American Taylor Dent 6-3, 7-6, 7-6. Tim Henman also advanced, riding a wave of popular support past Hicham Arazi 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
In the women’s draw, champion and top seed Serena Williams advanced with the minimum of fuss, walloping Spain’s Magui Serna 6-4, 6-0.
Jennifer Capriati also flexed her grasscourt muscles to send France’s Nathalie Dechy packing with a solid 7-5, 6-1 win and French fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo wasted little time securing her fourth round berth with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Slovakian Ludmila Cervanova.
Swiss top seed Federer bounced Johansson 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in their second match on grass in three weeks. Federer also beat him in Halle and has now won all six matches against the 29-year-old and plays Ivo Karlovic next.
Elsewhere, eighth seed Rainer Schuettler struggled to maintain his concentration, shuffling out a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victim of American 30th seed Vincent Spadea.
Wayne Ferreira, playing in a record 55th straight grand slam tournament, lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 to Schuettler’s fellow German Florian Mayer. The South African said it had been a shame so few fans turned up to watch his match on court seven.
Serena, seeking her third successive singles crown here, started steadily but eventually her power and movement overwhelmed the 53-ranked Serna on Center Court.
The American was pleased with her performance.
Croatian Karolina Sprem, conqueror of Venus Williams in the last round, triumphed again by the same 7-6, 7-6 scoreline, this time beating 32nd seed Meghann Shaughnessy.
Afterward she showed little sympathy toward the umpire axed for a scoring gaffe during that second round match against Venus.
“Bad luck for him,” she said.
