LONDON, June 26, 2009 (AFP) - Roger Federer set up a Wimbledon last 16 clash with Robin Soderling on Friday, the man he beat to win the French Open, but took time out to remember pop music king Michael Jackson.

Federer, bidding for a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title and a sixth Wimbledon crown, overcame a third set slump before seeing off Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in the third round.

"It was my best match of the tournament so far. The rhythm was very high. I would have liked to have won in straight sets but he came back strong and my serve went off a little bit," said the world number two.

"He deserved the third set but I was happy with the way I reacted."

Federer also took the opportunity to pay tribute to American music legend Michael Jackson who died on Thursday and recalled the first time he heard the star's music.

"It was 1988 or 1989, he came to Basel and I went down to the stadium with my sister. We were still very young and we listened to the music while we stood outside," said the Swiss.

"I love his music. He touched many people and I will listen to his music for many years to come."

Soderling, the 13th seed, reached the last 16 for the first time with a 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-4 win over Spain's Nicolas Almagro.

The 24-year-old Swede, fresh from his French Open heroics where he handed world number one Rafael Nadal a first career Roland Garros defeat before progressing to a first Grand Slam final, will return to Centre Court on Monday to face the Swiss.

Two years ago, Soderling lost to Nadal in five sets here in an acrimonious encounter which saw the Swede imitate the Spaniard's habit of pulling at the rear of his shorts.

Nadal described Soderling as one of the least liked players in the locker room.

"It's tough to play against Roger," said Soderling. "I've played him ten times, and after the matches I never felt like I played well.

"It's not because of me, I think it's because of him. He makes you play."

Serbian fourth seed Novak Djokovic also reached the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over America's Mardy Fish and he will face Israel's Dudi Sela for a place in the quarter-finals.

Sela beat Spanish 15th seed Tommy Robredo 7-6 (10/8), 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 to become only the fourth Israeli man to reach a Grand Slam fourth round.

Giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic, the 22nd seed, fired down 46 aces in his 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) upset of French ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Karlovic, who also made the fourth round in 2004, the year after he stunned 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round, now tackles Spain's seventh seed Fernando Verdasco for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I'm playing with more confidence these days," said Karlovic, who lost in the first round for the previous three years.

"I hope to keep serving like I have been. If I can, anything can happen."

Verdasco, his country's best hope in the absence of injured champion Nadal, saw off compatriot Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).