(SATSports) – Roger Federer, 39 and a month away from being coo 40, became the oldest man in the open era to reach the Wimbledon quarter finals with a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 straight sets victory over Lorenzo Sonego.
Federer, who is in pursuit of a record extending 9th Wimbledon title looked sharper in terms of footwork and nailing groundstrokes against an Italian, who is having a very successful 2021 season, breaking the opponent to take a 4-3 lead in the first. The 26 year old would shock the eight time champion by breaking right back to love, thanks to a dip in serving from the Swiss.
At 5-6, advantage and set point to Roger, rain started pouring on Center Court, which forced a delay to allow the roof to close up. After a short break, Sonego would come back affected to miss two important serve and surrender the set to his opponent.
It was free flowing tennis from the former world number one in the second set, breaking his opponent’s serve to take a 3-2 lead, a break which was crucial as he went to put one foot in the quarters by serving the set out.
The 39 year old, who is the most dominant player ever on grass was in full flight in the third, racing to a double break to take a 4-0 lead against a devastated Lorenzo. The Italian dug deep to send a crowd in a frenzy between games, raising his hands to get more support after big point exchanges, but Federer kept his composure to win the match on his first match point.
Not only did the Swiss become the oldest man in the open era to make the quarters in London, he has also tied himself with Rafael Nadal (French Open), for the most wins by a male player at a single major since the Open Era began, with 105 match wins.
The tournament only gets tougher and tougher for Federer though, who face the winner of the Medvedev versus Hurkaczmatch, which was suspended due to rain pouring on court 2. Asked on how e felt about his next opponent not getting a day’s rest, Federer humored the crowed by suggesting that both of them are young enough to recover well for their quarter final match up.
(Report compiled by Takudzwa Alufeyo)
