Federer holds off Kohlschreiber

Roger Federer lost his first set of the tournament, but it was little more than a glitch as he continued his imperious route to what is looking increasingly like his seventh Wimbledon final.

This time his victim was German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who battled defiantly on Centre Court but still went down to a 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 defeat.

Federer, who now plays Robin Soderling in the fourth round, the man he beat in the French Open final, said: "It has been a good first week. I thought this was my best match of the tournament even though I lost a set. It's fine as long as you come through without losing too much energy."

He added: "It will be nice to have Saturday and Sunday off and get rid of the pressure for a day or so. I felt a lot of pressure two years ago but I feel relaxed now. It's going to be an exciting second week."

Fernando Verdasco of Spain, the seventh seed, has won his Wimbledon third-round match 4-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 against Albert Montanes of Spain, the 32nd seed.