The 2012 Wimbledon season seems to be a tough challenge for the best play makers of the grass court. Earlier we witnessed the early exit of four-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and No 2 ranked Rafael Nadal.

Five-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer had a tough time in facing his French opponent Julien Benneteau in the third round. Federer won Benneteau by 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-1 after losing the first two sets.

"It was a tough match,"Federer said. "Oh my God, it was brutal. Obviously, a bit of luck, maybe, on my side. Who knows? But I tried hard. I fought `til the very end," he confessed during the post match session.

Frenchman Benneteau was on top of his game but was finding hard to maintain the quality of play due to cramps. Benneteau required thigh massages from the physios during the fifth set. Federer broke a 3-1 lead with a forehand and improvised from there.

Rafael Nadal's early exit has got brightened the chances of Federer to equal the record of legendary American tennis star Pete Sampras.

Tags: Julien Benneteau | Roger Federer | Roger Federer vs Julien Benneteau 2012 | Wimbledon 2012 | Wimbledon 2012 Federer vs Benneteau third round