Federer relishing Hewitt test

Roger Federer will be seeking a 12th straight victory over Lleyton Hewitt when the two clash in Monday's intriguing fourth-round clash at Wimbledon.

Federer eased into the last 16 on Friday with a 6-3 6-3 6-1 victory over France's Marc Gicquel, while Hewitt - the only other player in the draw to have tasted title success at the All England Club - also won in straight sets against Italy's Simone Bolelli.

"I've definitely played well against him the last times I've played him," said Federer, 26. "It's always a challenge playing Lleyton."

He added: "He's a great player, a guy I really enjoy watching as well. He's a great competitor. We played when we were 15 for the first time, I saved a match point and won in the end.

"Especially here, him being a former world number one, former champion here, I think it's an intriguing match for both of us."

It had been suggested that five-time champion Federer was vulnerable this year having won just two tournaments coming into Wimbledon and being hammered by Rafael Nadal in the French Open final.

But Hewitt, who won here in 2002, was not about to give that theory much credence.

"I think he feels very comfortable, he's played all his matches on Centre Court so far again this year. He feels right at home on that stage," said the Australian, who is nursing a hip injury which he admitted would have kept him out of any other tournament.

"We're probably going to be out there Monday. He's won 60 something (62) matches now on grass. If he plays Rafa on grass, because of what Rafa did to him at the French Open.... But in terms of him playing anyone else, I think he's going to still have that aura and that self-confidence behind him."