HALLE, June 17, 2015

The second round matches of the top half of the draw were played on Day 3 at the Gerry Weber Open ATP 500 event in Halle, featuring number one seed and seven-time champion Roger Federer.

The 33-year-old world number two saved two break points he faced and converted two of his own beating Ernests Gulbis a third time in their fifth tour meeting. Federer needed only 65 minutes to reach the quarterfinals.

”I’m very satisfied today. That was a good match for me” said Federer. At the post-match press conference he answered with a smile when asked about Novak Djokovic being the big favourite for winning Wimbledon: “He is the favourite.” The Swiss awaits Florian Mayer in the next round. “He’s got the one thing – he loves playing on grass. That does make a difference.”

Florian Mayer, who has returned to the courts in April after a groin injury, reached his first quarterfinal since January 2014, beating Steve Johnson 6-3, 7-6 in their first tour meeting. The 31-year-old German entered the main draw through protected ranking, celebrated his second match win of the season after one hour and 24 minutes.

Tomas Berdych stopped young gun Borna Coric, winning 6-3, 6-2. The third-seeded Czech didn’t have to face break point and closed the encounter after 65 minutes.

“Experience is important on this surface and I am happy the way I was playing. I wanted to play better than yesterday and this worked out. I was focused on every single point,” Berdych said afterwards and added what he is going to do when he is having one day off on Thursday.

“I’ll go back on practice courts. The more time I can spend on the grass, the better it is. Furthermore, I also try to relax in order to be ready for the next match.”

This quarterfinals encounter is going to take place against Ivo Karlovic. The eighth seed fired 21 aces to overcome German wild card Alexander Zverev, winning 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and one minute.

“It was difficult today, but I like playing on grass. My backhand slice works well on this surface,” told Karlovic, who also had to deal with some injuries in recent times. “Yes, I had this elbow issue before the French open but it’s getting better every day. I like the life on the tour and hope for maybe another ten years on the circuit,” he said with a smile.