Federer bowed to the heir to the throne before his match and Charles and his wife Camilla gave the Swiss maestro a standing ovation after he thrashed Italian Fabio Fognini 6-1 6-3 6-2 to reach the third round.
Federer is now two match wins away from 850 victories (848-192). He hit 35 winners and 13 aces past Fognini in the pair’s second meeting. The Swiss also won 21 of 23 points at the net.
“I was serving well,” said Federer. “You're not going to get many chances throughout a set, maybe, against me, when I'm serving well. I didn't think it was that easy of a match. I really tried to focus hard and made sure I played sort of a clean match, which I was able to do again today.”
Prince Charles visited Wimbledon for the first time in 42 years, meeting with some former players and watching Roger Federer's match from the Royal Box on Centre Court.
"We are thrilled for the tennis family that they came to watch today," Federer said after his imperious display. Federer said it was ''a great feeling'' to play in front of the royals.
Queen Elizabeth II made a visit to the All England Club in 2010, but Charles had not attended the tournament since 1970.
As six-times champion, Federer was well aware of what the royal etiquette is on the world's most famous tennis court.
"They do brief you beforehand so that you don't do anything stupid," Federer said. "We were asked to bow which obviously is no problem."
But Federer did take time in the tunnel leading to Centre Court to explain the procedure to Fognini. They both bowed in perfect union to Prince Charles, who had in turn received his own standing ovation from fans when he appeared in the royal box above the court.
His glorious groundstrokes and lightning fast movement across the court were greeted with unbridled admiration from the crowd. The graceful genius was at the peak of his form - except at the very start.
He drew gasps of incredulity when he lost the first two points of the match on his serve but normal service was promptly restored when he fired down two aces.
The Italian became so disheartened at the end of the first set that he did not even bother to try and chase down yet another stinging forehand from Federer. He just walked back to his chair, shoulders slumped.
Federer lost just four points on his serve in the second set and was swift to complete his clinical execution of Fognini in the third.
"I really tried to focus hard and make sure I played a clean match, "Federer said. "I served 13 aces out there today. I felt it was pretty fast."
Date: 27.06.2012, Source: Reuters
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