Schuettler sunk by stubborn Sela

RAINER SCHUETTLER, a semi-finalist 12 months ago, became the second biggest casualty of the men’s singles at Wimbledon when he lost in straight sets to Israeli Dudi Sela.

Schuettler, 33, who was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the last four in 2008, led 5-2 in the first set but Sela turned around the match to win 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2 on his second appearance at the All-England Club.

“I’ve played him a few times and I’ve never beaten him so I think he likes my game,” said Schuettler.

Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany will be the next opponent for Roger Federer after he came from behind to defeat Ivo Minar, of the Czech Republic, 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2 8-6.

For his part, Federer threw his sweatbands into the Centre Court crowd, but there was precious little sweat on them after his easy victory over Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets.

Federer, seeking a sixth Wimbledon victory and a record 15th grand slam title, barely had to get out of first gear to win 6-2 6-2 6-4 in bright but blustery conditions.

The world number two broke his opponent’s serve five times in total, and was delighted to progress with the minimum of fuss.

“I expected a much harder match because he’s been playing well in Eastbourne, he reached the semis over there,” he said,

“And I’ve played him twice before where I saw he has some good forehands and steady backhand. On grass you never know so I was quite surprised I was able to win so easily today.”

Kohlschreiber, the 27th seed, won 8-6 in the fifth set of a marathon against Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic.

Third favourite Novak Djokovic set up a third-round clash with America’s Mardy Fish thanks to a 7-5 6-1 6-4 victory over battling German qualifier Simon Greul. Fish beat Janko Tipsarevic, of Serbia, 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-4.

French Open finalist Robin Soderling came from a set down to beat Marcel Granoliers 4-6 7-6 6-4 7-5, but Nicolas Almagro and Albert Montanes are left to carry Spanish hopes after putting out Karol Beck and Guillermo Canas respectively.

Another Spaniard, seventh seed Fernando Verdasco, needed almost three hours to see off a resilient Kristof Vliegen. He was taken to three tie-breaks before gaining a 7-6 6-7 7-6 6-4 victory.

Tommy Robredo, the 15th seed, came from two sets down to beat Austria’s Stefan Koubek 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 6-1 but admitted he is struggling to adapt to grass.

“If you ask me if I really like this, I would say not,” he said. “It’s tough to play on grass.

“When you start playing one day and it’s full of grass and the day after it’s half of the grass and the day after it’s less grass, it’s not good.”

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the ninth seed, and 24th seed Tommy Haas did not have to work for their places in the third round.

Frenchman Tsonga was given a walkover when Italian Simone Bolelli withdrew with a back injury, while Michael Llodra retired seven games into his match with Haas after colliding with a ball girl.