Roger Federer Survives Scare at Wimbledon

Six time champion Roger Federer came within two points of crashing to his worst Wimbledon defeat in 10 years on Friday before battling from two sets down to beat French 29th seed Julien Benneteau.

Federer clinched an eighth career fightback from two sets to love down to win 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 and will face unseeded Belgian Xavier Malisse for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Swiss star, who won the last of his record 16 Grand Slam titles at the 2010 Australian Open, was staring at his earliest defeat at the All England Club since a shock first round exit to Mario Ancic in 2002.