Roger Federer sets up 13th Wimbledon quarter final with win over Nishikori

Roger Federer has defeated Kei Nishikori 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 in a tricky quarter final on Wimbledon Centre Court today.

Meeting for the 11th time, Roger Federer has extended his record against the Japanese opponent to 8-3 in their first meeting at Wimbledon.

Competing in his 17th Wimbledon quarter final, the Swiss veteran started slowly as the 29 year old broke his serve in the first game to gain an instant advantage. And Federer had to work hard not to go a double break down, as he saved four more break points over his next two service games. Saving a break point himself at 3-2 up, Nishikori hung on to his own serve in order to win the first set 6-4.

Roger Federer was upset in last year’s quarter final by eventual runner up Kevin Anderson, in what was his first quarter final defeat at SW19 since 2011 when Jo Wilfried Tsonga came from two sets down to beat him in five sets. The 37 year old eight time champion however looked determined not to repeat this, and he started the second set explosively. He broke the Nishikori serve instantly and then again a few games later to win the second set 6-1.

Playing in just his second Wimbledon quarter final and unfazed by his opponents new found form, Nishikori held strong at the beginning of the third set. He saved a break point in the first game of the set, and confidently served to 3-3. The man from Shimane did managed to save three more break points, but lost a fourth to Federer, and fell 4-3 behind. Despite Nishikori again doing well to hold serve in his next service game, the Swiss maestro served the third set out to take it 6-4.

The third set was a near repeat of the fourth, with the resilient world number 7 hanging on to his service games. Across his first three he saved all four break points he faced, not having one on the Federer serve. And at 4-4 Federer finally did the seemingly inevitable and broke his opponent’s serve. An ace in his following service game wrapped up the match for Federer, who will continue his Wimbledon campaign. A trophy here would extend his own record as oldest man to win Wimbledon, which he set at 35 when he beat Marin Cilic to win in 2017.

In the semi final he will face Rafael Nadal, who came though his quarter-final match against grass court specialist Sam Querrey in straight sets. It will be their first Wimbledon meeting since the 2008 final when Nadal won in five sets.

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