WIMBLEDON, England ? Andy Roddick and Roger Federer reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon while thousands of fans lined up to be part of the third “People’s Sunday” in 127 years.

Wimbledon organizers were forced to schedule matches on the middle Sunday — usually a rest day — to clear a backlog after washouts Wednesday and Saturday.

The top-ranked Federer hit 44 winners and advanced with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Thomas Johansson. There were about 8,000 people still in lines outside when Federer rifled a forehand return on match point after 1 hour, 37 minutes.

Centre Court was full by the time defending women’s champion Serena Williams beat Spain’s Magui Serna 6-4, 6-0 in 58 minutes. The top-seeded Williams got off court just before showers delayed play late in the afternoon.

She followed Tim Henman onto Centre Court, and the crowd was worked up after the British favorite beat Morocco’s Hicham Arazi 7-6 (6), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Britain’s best hope for a first men’s singles title here since 1936, Henman was lifted by the crowd, which clapped loudly, whistled and chanted his name after big points.

“I need to play better but I still fancy my chances,” he said. “It was a phenomenal atmosphere — I’ve been so lucky to have had the opportunity to play the middle Sunday twice.”

In 1997, Henman beat Paul Haarhuis 14-12 in the fifth set to win on People’s Sunday.

He’s into the fourth round here for the ninth consecutive year and next faces 2003 finalist Mark Philippoussis, who beat Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (4), 7-5.

Second-seeded Roddick beat fellow American Taylor Dent 6-3, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (1).

“I played well today, I lifted my game — I was forced to,” said Roddick, who will meet 6-foot-7 Alexander Popp in the next round.