Federer moves swiftly past Frenchman

When an excited Centre Court crowd ignores the chair umpire’s request to calm the Mexican wave, it is clear they realise the Roger Federer who has showed up today is in a hurry and unlikely to give them too many more change of ends to send it surging around the stands.

There was no question, Federer showed up for his second round Olympic singles match against Julien Benneteau looking far sharper than in his opening display.

In his 6-2, 6-2 routing of the Frenchman, the gold medal favourite never faced a break point, such was his dominance on serve.

The Swiss player’s speed moving forward is often overlooked when reeling off superlatives to describe his game, but on Monday his movement was sublime. At 5-2, with Benneteau serving to stay in the first set, Federer easily ran down a decent drop shot from the Frenchman before putting away the easy smash.

He would go on to break, closing out the first set 6-2 in just 28 minutes.

Federer could tell his opponent was not in the same physical condition as he was when he bolted out of the blocks to lead two sets to love in their third round match at Wimbledon a matter of weeks ago.

Having held for 5-2 Federer brought up his first match point with a drop shot winner against a seemingly injured Benneteau; the Frenchman left stranded on the baseline.

He would clinch it on his second match point with a more satisfied look of accomplishment than he could muster after his first-round scare.

The London 2012 Olympic tennis is taking place at Wimbledon. Visit the ITF Olympics site for full scores, draws and the London 2012 site for video content, venue and schedule information.