Wimbledon 2019 - Roger Federer knocks out Jay Clarke in straight sets

Federer had never lost a Grand Slam match to somebody as low as Clarke in the rankings and, despite the Briton putting up a brave fight in the second set, the huge gulf in class ensured the Swiss never had to get out of second gear.

Chasing a ninth Wimbledon title, Federer blasted out of the blocks, winning the opening set in double quick time, before Clarke got a foothold in the contest, holding serve throughout the second set to force a tiebreak.

The home crowd began to sense the beginnings of an upset when Clarke secured a mini-break on the Federer serve, but it was a fleeting advantage, with the Swiss taking the set and breaking early in the third.

The 20-year-old Clarke handed Federer matchpoint with a double fault and the 20-times Grand Slam champion wrapped up the contest when the Briton sent a backhand wide.

"I really enjoyed myself. The tank is full. I came here with a lot of confidence, the first few matches haven't been very taxing physically. You try to win your matches regardless of the score, if you win them in straights that's better," Federer said.

"This first week has been going well and I know the opponents in terms of ranking will now get better."

Federer has played enough matches at Wimbledon to know he only needs to get the job done in the early rounds and if the 20-year-old Clarke takes one lesson from his experience on Court One, it will be the killer instinct of the game's elite.

Clarke had two opportunities to break the Federer serve in the first set and they went begging, while Federer had five breakpoints in the match and, with cold-blooded ruthlessness, took four of them.

"I think that's the biggest thing about playing those guys, how they handle certain situations, what shots they choose, how they save breakpoints," said Clarke, who was only playing his third match at Wimbledon.

"There are so many things you can learn. You don't actually need to ask a lot of questions ... I think I had two breakpoints ... and he aced me in different directions. Maybe I'll learn a bit better for the next time."

Chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, Federer blasted out of the blocks, winning the opening set in double quick time, before Clarke got a foothold in the contest, holding serve throughout the second set to force a tiebreak.

The home crowd began to sense the beginnings of an upset when Clarke secured a mini-break on the Federer serve, but it was a fleeting advantage, with the Swiss taking the set and breaking early in the third.

Clarke handed Federer matchpoint with a double fault and he wrapped up the contest when the Briton sent a backhand wide.

"I really enjoyed myself. The tank is full. I came here with a lot of confidence, the first few matches haven't been very taxing physically. You try to win your matches regardless of the score, if you win them in straights that's better," Federer said.