Federer Closes In On Milestones

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer has a 699-167 career match wins record.

Defending champion Roger Federer is one victory away from recording the 700th tour-level match win and the 150th clay-court win of his career after he reached the Roland Garros third round on Wednesday.

The top seed from Switzerland hit 36 winners in a rain-interrupted 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 win over Colombian Alejandro Falla on Court Philippe Chatrier. Contesting his 12th successive Roland Garros, Federer will next challenge Julian Reister after the German qualifier claimed a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(5) win over Belgian Olivier Rochus.

Buy Tickets

"I thought the first set was good, actually, from both sides," said Federer. "I think he really pushed me to come up with something special, which I couldn't do in the first set. I definitely got a little bit lucky to get out of that one.

"I think he played tough. I mean, both times when I played him before I had much more control from the baseline. But he was able to today to take the ball early and guide it into wherever he wanted to play it to. I thought it was impressive what he was able to do today."

Despite the routine win, Federer was in danger of losing the first set when Falla served for the first set at 6-5. Falla failed to convert break point opportunities in the third and fifth games, but he was able to convert his third opportunity in the 11th game with a forehand winner off a Federer drop shot.

Federer broke back immediately and set up two set point opportunities in the tie-break with a stunning off-forehand winner. World No. 70 Falla miscued a forehand, hitting into the tramlines, to give Federer the opening set.

Rain started to fall at the start of the second set, but play continued until 28-year-old Federer broke Falla’s serve in the third game. After a 20-minute delay, Federer broke to love and held serve after falling to 0/40 for a 5-1 lead.

Play was again suspended, this time for one hour, with Federer serving at 0-1, 30/15 in the third set. The Swiss superstar returned to break Falla’s serve in the third game and went on to wrap up his 699th tour-level win in two hours.

Federer is attempting to become the first player to successfully defend a Grand Slam title since he achieved the feat at the 2008 US Open. He has a 21-6 match record on the year.

Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka joined Federer as straight-sets winners Wednesday, as he rolled past German Andreas Beck 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 46 minutes. The 20th-seeded Wawrinka has now reached the Roland Garros third round for the fourth time in six event appearances.

Read All-New DEUCE Issue