Federer faces tough challenge in shape of Safin

LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) Champion Roger Federer is back on Centre Court today facing his toughest challenge yet in the shape of Marat Safin in the Wimbledon third round as he attempts to win a fifth successive title.

The world number one will be all too aware of the threat Safin poses after the hot-headed Russian twice came from a set down and saved match point to beat Federer on his way to the 2005 Australian Open title.

Federer needed just 10 minutes to finish off his rain-interrupted second round match against Juan Martin del Potro yesterday.

Third seed Andy Roddick, who faces a possible semi-final clash with Swiss Federer, takes on Spain's Fernando Verdasco on Court One.

Before that, Serbia's Jelena Jankovic plays Czech Lucie Safarova.

Third seed Jankovic, a French Open semi-finalist, beat Safarova in straight sets in their only other meeting, on hard court in Los Angeles.

On Court Two, women's number one Justine Henin plays her second Russian of the tournament, Elena Vesnina, after comfortably disposing of Vera Dushevina in the previous round.

REUTERS SAM PM1412