A mid-match rain delay failed to derail Roger Federer from defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego to move into the last eight of Wimbledon once again.
The 39-year-old battled his way to a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2, victory to become the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the quarter-finals at The All England Club. There were moments where the Swiss maestro appeared to be tentative on court which was attributed to his ongoing comeback from injury and some inspired play from his Italian rival. However, Federer elevated his level as the match progressed with the help of four aces and 32 winners.
“I’m extremely happy. It was tricky conditions both inside (with the roof) and outside. It was always dangerous but after the first set I felt that I could control things,” said Federer.
“It’s a great match. I couldn’t be more excited to be in the quarter-finals. It’s a big moment.”
The disparity in experience between the two players when it comes to playing at Wimbledon couldn’t have been any different. Heading into their fourth round clash, Federer had won 104 matches at the Grand Slam compared to his rival who has only recorded three. However, there was little to distinguish between the two during the start of their match.
World No.8 Federer looked to be on his way when he capitalized on an error-stricken Sonego service game, which featured a trio of forehand mistakes, to break for 4-3. However, tasked with closing the set out it was Federer’s turn to falter as he lost 11 points in a row due to some inspired play from his opponent.
Locked at 5-5 with a break point in Federer’s favour the rain started to fall which forced the match to be suspended for almost 30 minutes. Upon resumption the Swiss converted his break with the help of a Sonego double fault for a second chance to serve the set out. This time he held his nerve with a help of a volley at the net followed by a deep forehand on the next point which saw him snatch the lead after more than an hour of play.
Playing in only his fifth tournament since returning to the Tour following a knee injury, Federer didn’t display the level of consistency compared to previous years. However, as the match progressed his form also elevated. During the second frame it was a single break that proved decisive. A blistering passing shot moved Federer ahead before he went on to seal the two-set lead with a love service game.
Cruising towards the finish line, a 4-game winning streak in the third placed him within touching distance of the win. Much to the frustration of an animated Sonego who was too inconsistent to trouble the former world No.1. Federer would triumph on his first match point by hitting a serve down the centre which his opponent returned out.
Federer will play either Daniil Medvedev or Hubert Hurkacz for a place in the semi-final. Although he will have to wait until tomorrow to find out who he will play after their match was postponed due to poor weather with Medvedev leading two sets to one. Federer has never lost to either of those players on the Tour.
“You’re not happy about it (a match suspension) but that’s how it goes. I have been in those situations many times before,” Federer commented. “These guys are young and they can recover. It’s not a problem for them.”
Federer has now won 1251 Tour matches in his career.
