Federer, Djokovic wonder if Wimbledon courts can improve

Rafael Nadal whacks head on door frame moments before day seven Wimbledon clash

Turning 36 next month, the Swiss maestro continues to smash records and notch milestones seemingly every time he steps onto the court.

Nadal, in particular, has struggled at the grass grand slam, failing to get beyond the fourth round since 2011 and missing the tournament altogether a year ago due to injury.

Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic roared his way into the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (2) defeat of unpredictable Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

Third seed Federer became the last man to book a berth in the last 16 with a 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4 victory over German number 27 Mischa Zverev.

The Dane, seeded fifth, was getting overpowered as she trailed by a set and 3-5 to the powerful Kontaveit but she hung on grimly and turned the match around. Their next meeting was at the same venue and at the same stage a year later, Federer winning 7-6 6-2. "The first goal is to get through to the second week and I am happy to sit back and relax and then come back on Monday".

Wozniacki will next face 24th-seeded CoCo Vandeweghe of the United States in the next round.

The No. 24-seeded Vandeweghe had 23 winners, compared to Riske's five.

A mishit diagonal forehand return gave Federer the mini-break on the first point.

Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are positioned to challenge for a breakout slam but it will take something special for the emerging forces or the likes of 2016 runner-up Milos Raonic and Australian Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov to trigger the start of an overdue generational changing of the guard.

Some players voiced concerns about the court conditions over the opening week, including Kristina Mladenovic of France and Alison Riske of the United States, who each fell early during their second-round match on Court 18 on Thursday.

Who do you think will win the match? "We didn't feel there was".

No. 1 women's doubles player Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the US says she needs surgery on her right knee after dislocating her kneecap and rupturing her patella tendon during a singles match at Wimbledon.

However, the third seed went on to win the tiebreak 7-3 before again breaking early in the second set - this time holding his serve to take it 6-4 in just 35 minutes.

Elsewhere, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki came within two points of defeat against unseeded Estonian Anett Kontaveit before recovering to win 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 and reach the fourth round.

Outright favorite Roger Federer comes up against one of the few players who can match his attacking approach on Saturday, with Mischa Zverev looking to upset odds of 10/1.

"He had a great run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open before he was beaten by Rafa, so we very almost played in the final there". "And for the first time in my career to have back-to-back years where I have made the second week is exciting".

The past two Wimbledon women's runners-up, No. 1-ranked Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza, also will be trying to reach the second week.

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