Roger Federer has strolled into a historic 15th Wimbledon quarter-final following an emphatic 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
Expectations were high for a quality clash with Dimitrov only dropping 18 games in his first three rounds compared to 19 for Federer. In reality experience prevailed with Federer experiencing little resistance. On the clutch moments Federer shined as Dimitrov crumbled, producing a series of costly mistakes. After the first two sets, the Bulgarian had already produced a total of 18 unforced errors and seven double faults compared to Federer’s tally of 4 and none.
“He did give me some opportunities and I was happy to take advantage of them.” Federer told the BBC.
“The most important thing for me was to focus on my game and doing the right thing out there.”
It appeared as if Federer would be strolling towards the win following a Dimitrov backhand error, giving him another break during the third set. Then suddenly the Bulgarian reacted with the play that brought him two ATP titles earlier in the year. A breathtaking forehand down the line rewarded him two chances to break back before Federer once against squashed his hopes by saving them both. Still, he refused to give up, eventually breaking back to level 4-4.
Dimitrov’s resurgence drew praise from the crowd, but failed to derail the seven-time champion. Within three minutes the Bulgarian went from delight to dismay as a wild forehand drifted long to gift the break back to Federer as well as the chance to serve the match out. A routine forehand volley at the net elevated him to a trio of match points. He triumphed on his second after a shot from Dimitrov drifted long.
Federer is now three wins away from an historic eighth Wimbledon title. Every time he walks onto centre court, the Swiss player says he ‘tries to give something to the crowd’ at his favourite grand slam. Still, he is aware of the work ahead facing him.
“To win this (Wimbledon) you need a little luck, you need to feel great. The good thing is that I am not trying to heal something like last year’s with my knee. It is more free, more happy times right now and I’m so thrilled to be in another quarterfinal.” He said.
Federer will play Milos Raonic in the last eight. The 2016 finalist outlasted Germany’s Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, in a three-and-a-half hour roller coaster.
“I got to bring the intensity, the focus that I’ve shown throughout this tournament, the mentality on the serve, first and second serve. Very few wrong decision making. Understanding what to do at what stage.” Federer said about the upcoming match.
