The Swiss survived a late night conclusion under the Centre court roof, saving match point during a fourth set tie-break.u00a0The holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, Federer clinched a 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 win. He claimed his 62nd Wimbledon win and is now one behind Pete Sampras. <img alt="" src="/imagedata/2012/jul/fed-win.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 799px; " /> Roger Federer celebrates his third round win on Friday. Pic/AFP The match finished at 9.18 pm local time after three hours and 34 minutes. &ldquo;It was a tough match&hellip; brutal. I had a bit of luck on my side, but I fought to the very end,&rdquo; said Federer. &ldquo;Obviously, Julien was hurt at the end, but I tried in the third and fourth just to stay alive,&rdquo; admitted Federer. Benneteau was aiming to equal his best Wimbledon performance by reaching the last 16 here. This came in 2010. It was second year in a row at Wimbledon that Federer went to five sets against a Frenchman, but this time he managed to duck the bullet. In 2011, it was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who beat Federer in five-set encounter for a spot in semi-finals. Federer is bidding for his seventh Wimbledon title to equal William Renshaw and Pete Sampras&rsquo; record tally. The experienced approach of Federer in the deciding set was evident. It was Federer&rsquo;s ability to make him run around court that was critical. &ldquo;I was cramping in my legs. So, it was tough for me to serve,&rdquo; admitted Benneteau. Benneteau&rsquo;s body and resolve collapsed as he twice received a massage to his heavy legs in the fifth set. &ldquo;I fought all the way. Julien was playing amazing tennis and I knew it was going to be difficult&rdquo;, said Federer post victory.u00a0

David Ferrer downs Andy Roddick

It was a scary Friday night for six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in his third round match against 29-seed Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Roger Federer survives French scare

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Roger Federer survives French scare

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