• Wimbledon, Day Three

Federer's royal thumping and Watson's great taste

ESPN staff
June 27, 2012
Roger Federer is tennis royalty at Wimbledon © PA Photos
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Stosur dumped out by Rus
Federer sails past Fognini
Superb Watson reaches third round

Day Three Gallery
What They Said

A Royal thumping
As Roger Federer and Fabio Fognini took to Centre Court for their third round clash on Wednesday, they turned to the Royal Box and bowed to Prince Charles, who was making his first appearance at the All England Club since 1970. Fognini even bowed twice, but it was to no avail as a majestic Federer dished out a royal trouncing in just an hour and 13 minutes.

Fabio Casanova
With the match on Centre Court deep into the third set, Federer was firmly on course for victory. Desperately trying to stave off defeat, Fognini made a woeful attempt to play the ball between his legs, and ended up pinning a line judge against the wall. As the Italian was gripped in an embrace with a blushing official, even Federer afforded a little chuckle.

Rapid fire
Seven seconds. That's how long it took Sara Errani to book her place in the second round on Wednesday. With rain stopping play on Tuesday with the Italian on match point, the players returned to the court. The warm-up lasted longer than the play as a double fault from Coco Vandeweghe handed Errani victory without the French Open champion having to touch the ball.

Decade of doom
The likes of Tim Henman and more recently Andy Murray have ensured that there is British interest deep into the second week at Wimbledon, but British women have not enjoyed much success at the All England Club. In beating Jamie Lee Hampton in straight sets, Heather Watson reached the third round of a grand slam for the first time - but perhaps more crucially for British fans - is the first British woman to make the third round at Wimbledon since Elena Baltacha back in 2002.

Air shot
With the second set finely posed at 2-2 in the second set, Jamie Lee Hampton was attempting to save break point to prevent Heather Watson taking the advantage. As Watson's return landed plum on the baseline it took an awkward bounce, and Hampton failed to read it, swinging and making contact with thin air.

Great taste
Speaking after her heroic victory, Watson revealed she had developed a new superstition at Wimbledon and had been religiously scoffing smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Forget the Weetabix, that is truly a breakfast for champions.

Arantxa-phobia
World No. 72 Arantxa Rus may not be the biggest name on the WTA Tour, but she appears to be making a habit of producing mammoth upsets on the biggest stage. Rus, who stunned second seed Kim Clijsters at last year's French Open, was at it again as she dumped out Sam Stosur on Wednesday.

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