Federer and Felix Into Wimbledon Quarters But Emma Breathless
Wimbledon
July 5, 2021
Roger Federer marched into the quarter-finals with another exquisite performance on Centre Court and could hardly hear himself speak in all the commotion.
‘I heard congratulations at the end of the question – the rest was lost!’ laughed Federer.
The first set against Lorenzo Sonego was a real battle and they had to stop with the Swiss master about to break and go 6-5 ahead.
After the roof closed, Roger’s true class showed through even more and he secured his 118th Wimbledon win 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
He admitted: ‘Tricky conditions inside and out against Lorenzo who is always dangerous.
‘But I felt after the first set I was able to control things.’
Centre Court is Federer’s kingdom. His spiritual home.
And he’ll be back on Wednesday to play either Daniil Medvedev or Hubert Hurkacz
A beaming Federer added: ‘I couldn’t be more excited to be in the quarters. Thank you guys for coming out and supporting me and making it special.’
The atmosphere at the quarter-final will be even more electric. And if anyone can rise to the occasion, Roger can.
He joked that he hoped the rain would give his much younger opponent less time to recover. But of course at nearly 40 years old, Federer could do with all the help he can get.
Meanwhile Felix Auger-Aliassime downed one of the tournament favourites, Alexander Zverev on No1 Court.
It took a five-set thriller for a winner to emerge though. The young Canadian edged it 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 3-6, 6-4.
That marathon created a long, nervous wait for Britain’s teenage sensation, Emma Raducanu.
She was ultimately outgunned by the statuesque Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4 in the first set.
Raducanu began to look breathless and then seemed in considerable distress.
And poor Emma’s problem grew worse at 0-3 in the second as she was forced to retire after a medical time-out.
Raducanu can still be so proud of hitting the big-time in such style at Wimbledon.
She will be massively popular in years to come.
Winner Ajla said: ‘I’m shocked and Emma must be really, really hurt if she came to the decision to retire. I wish she could have finished it and I wish her all the best.’
Wimbledon is never short of drama and emotion.
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