Roger Federer felt he had played one of his best matches of the year in beating Richard Gasquet in the second round at Wimbledon.
The eight-time champion looked rusty in his injury-curtailed opening match against Adrian Mannarino, but he put in a far more accomplished display in a 7-6 (1) 6-1 6-4 win over Frenchman Gasquet.
"I thought it was a good match," said the Swiss. "I was actually very happy with my Dan Evans match this year, the Marin Cilic match in Paris was good for me, too. I think this one is up there with the top three.
"What I was able to do today gives you a lot of confidence. You can start to play so much more freely.
That was a lot of fun 🤩 Centre Court are treated to fine displays from both players as @rogerfederer beats Richard Gasquet 7-6(1), 6-1, 6-4#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/EeQQVDjuOq — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2021
"It was a nice match for me, good atmosphere for me, good weather. It was definitely one of the highlights of the year so far."
Federer will play Britain's Cameron Norrie, a straight-sets winner against Australian wild card Alex Bolt, in the third round.
Nick Kyrgios roared through with a three-set victory over Italian Gianluca Mager.
The volatile Australian hammered down 29 aces, including one with a furious second serve after being foot-faulted, on his way to a 7-6 (7) 6-4 6-4 win.
Kyrgios set up a mouth-watering clash with Canadian youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Big-hitters Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev booked their places in the third round in comprehensive style.
Second seed Medvedev, who has never been past round three, raced through with a straight-sets victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Spanish wild card Alcaraz, a rising star who has climbed from 492 in the world to 75 in the space of 18 months, was broken in the first game but hit back for 5-4, only to surrender his serve once again.
Russian Medvedev then sped away from the 18-year-old to complete a routine 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory.
The match lasted just over an hour and a half, and Medvedev said: "The faster you go on grass, the better.
Into the third round. Job done. ✅ No.2 seed @DaniilMedwed matches his best Wimbledon performance to see off a spirited Carlos Alcaraz – a youngster we'll be hearing much more about in the coming years#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/NR9LwKNcvZ — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2021
"I love grass. In my first four grand slams I had only one victory and it was here so Wimbledon will always be special to me."
Fourth seed Zverev made light work of Tennys Sandgren – who struggled to prevent tennis balls slipping from his pockets.
During a light-hearted encounter on Court Two a ball fell loose twice, costing him a point the second time.
German Zverev, who won 7-5 6-2 6-3, said: "It's an unfortunate way to lose points. The second time I stopped, the ball was right at his feet.
"I couldn't have continued playing because it would have been dangerous for him. It's an odd way to win a point, but unfortunately it happens.
"Maybe he needs to talk to his clothing provider and ask for some deeper pockets!"
Zverev will face Taylor Fritz, who came through a five setter against fellow American Steve Johnson having undergone knee surgery just last month.
"I'm very surprised that he's actually playing here and I'm very surprised how well he's playing," added Zverev.
"I have to give credit to him for coming back this quickly."
Queen's Club winner Matteo Berrettini, seeded seventh, continues to impress on the grass, the Italian beating Dutch lucky loser Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 7-6 (4).
French 13th seed Gael Monfils lost in four sets to Pedro Martinez of Spain and former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov was beaten 6-4 7-6 (6) 7-6 (4) by Alexander Bublik.
