Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a ninth Wimbledon title came crushing down after he lost in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz.
Federer was dispatched by the World No. 18 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 in just one hour and 51 minutes on Centre Court at The All England Club.
The Swiss had cruised into the quarter-finals, defeating Britain’s Cameron Norrie along the way. Although, the 39-year-old was outclassed in his first acid test of the tournament.
Hurkacz stuck with Federer in the early exchanges, before striking with a superb return game to break for 4-2. The Pole served excellently all day and easily closed out the opening set.
Federer responded with the backing of a huge crowd, racing into a 4-1 lead in set two. Hurkacz fought back to push it all the way. As a tie-break loomed, both players found their first serves consistently. A slip from Federer at 3-3 in the breaker was the turning point as Hurkacz smashed down more heavy ground-strokes to take a two sets lead.
The Swiss was broken in his first service game of the third set and the 24-year-old sprinted to a 6-0 set.
Federer had never lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon before, astonishing.
While the focus will be on Federer’s exit, Hurkacz played exceptional and booked his place in the final four of a Grand Slam for the first time ever.
Hurkacz will play either Matteo Berrettini or Felix Auger-Aliassime in Friday’s semi-finals.
