Roger Federer extended his dominance at the All England Club on Monday after recording a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Lorenzo Sonego to reach his 18th Wimbledon quarter-final.
Federer aced a tricky test over the 23rd-seeded Italian, who arrived at SW19 after reaching a grass-court final in Eastbourne. The sixth seed saved two of the three break points he faced in the match to book a place in his all-time record-extending 58th Grand Slam quarter-final.
“I’m extremely happy. Tricky conditions inside and outside against Lorenzo, always dangerous,” Federer said. “But I felt like after that first set, I was able to control things. It was a great match. I couldn’t be more excited to be in the quarters. It’s a big moment and I’m very, very happy.”
The eight-time champion also extended his lead at the top of the all-time list for most Wimbledon quarter-final appearances, ahead of Jimmy Connors.
Most Wimbledon Men’s Quarter-final Appearances (all-time)
Federer will have to wait until Tuesday to learn his next opponent as he awaits the winner of second seed Daniil Medvedev and 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round. Medvedev and Hurkacz’s match was cancelled due to rain, with both players vying for their first Wimbledon quarter-final berth.
“You’re not happy about it. It’s not fair, but that’s how it goes. I’ve been in those situations many times before,” Federer said of the rain-affected matches, after all outer-court matches were cancelled on Monday. “These guys are young, they can recover. It’s not a problem for them. Unfortunately they’re very, very good, too, so hopefully it rains again tomorrow! I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
Contesting just his fifth tournament of the season, Federer shook off several setbacks including early-round losses in Geneva (l. to Andujar) and Halle (l. to Auger-Aliassime), and his first Grand Slam walkover after the third round at Roland Garros. The eight-time champion has played himself into form at SW19 after fighting past Adrian Mannarino in four sets (via retirement) in the first round, and taking down Richard Gasquet and the in-form Cameron Norrie before booking the meeting with Sonego.
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
Federer came to net 46 times against the 23rd seed, winning 63 per cent of those points and keeping his opponent on the run on Centre Court. The Italian did well to meet Federer blow for blow in the first set, his one-handed backhand finding angles to fight his way back from an early break deficit and bring them level at 5-5.
But with Sonego serving and down break point at 5-5, Ad Federer, play was suspended in order to close the roof over Centre Court due to rain. Twenty-two minutes later, the Italian double faulted to surrender the break straight back to Federer.
With the tightly contested first set under his belt, Federer was swinging more freely in the second and third sets and did not face another break point. He shut down Sonego at the net to claim the decisive break of serve with a zinging forehand passing shot up the line at 2-2 in the second set. He reeled off four games in a row to start off the third, and converted match point after the Italian fired a backhand long.
Did You Know?
At 39 years and 337 days, Federer is the oldest man to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in the Open Era, breaking the record set by Ken Rosewall (39 years, 224 days) in 1974. (Ages calculated at the end of the tournament.)
Federer aced a tricky test over the 23rd-seeded Italian, who arrived at SW19 after reaching a grass-court final in Eastbourne. The sixth seed saved two of the three break points he faced in the match to book a place in his all-time record-extending 58th Grand Slam quarter-final.
“I’m extremely happy. Tricky conditions inside and outside against Lorenzo, always dangerous,” Federer said. “But I felt like after that first set, I was able to control things. It was a great match. I couldn’t be more excited to be in the quarters. It’s a big moment and I’m very, very happy.”
The eight-time champion also extended his lead at the top of the all-time list for most Wimbledon quarter-final appearances, ahead of Jimmy Connors.
Most Wimbledon Men’s Quarter-final Appearances (all-time)
| Player | No. of appearances |
| Roger Federer | 18 |
| Jimmy Connors | 14 |
| Arthur Gore | 12 |
| Novak Djokovic | 12 |
| Boris Becker | 11 |
Federer will have to wait until Tuesday to learn his next opponent as he awaits the winner of second seed Daniil Medvedev and 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round. Medvedev and Hurkacz’s match was cancelled due to rain, with both players vying for their first Wimbledon quarter-final berth.
“You’re not happy about it. It’s not fair, but that’s how it goes. I’ve been in those situations many times before,” Federer said of the rain-affected matches, after all outer-court matches were cancelled on Monday. “These guys are young, they can recover. It’s not a problem for them. Unfortunately they’re very, very good, too, so hopefully it rains again tomorrow! I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”
Contesting just his fifth tournament of the season, Federer shook off several setbacks including early-round losses in Geneva (l. to Andujar) and Halle (l. to Auger-Aliassime), and his first Grand Slam walkover after the third round at Roland Garros. The eight-time champion has played himself into form at SW19 after fighting past Adrian Mannarino in four sets (via retirement) in the first round, and taking down Richard Gasquet and the in-form Cameron Norrie before booking the meeting with Sonego.
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
Federer came to net 46 times against the 23rd seed, winning 63 per cent of those points and keeping his opponent on the run on Centre Court. The Italian did well to meet Federer blow for blow in the first set, his one-handed backhand finding angles to fight his way back from an early break deficit and bring them level at 5-5.
But with Sonego serving and down break point at 5-5, Ad Federer, play was suspended in order to close the roof over Centre Court due to rain. Twenty-two minutes later, the Italian double faulted to surrender the break straight back to Federer.
With the tightly contested first set under his belt, Federer was swinging more freely in the second and third sets and did not face another break point. He shut down Sonego at the net to claim the decisive break of serve with a zinging forehand passing shot up the line at 2-2 in the second set. He reeled off four games in a row to start off the third, and converted match point after the Italian fired a backhand long.
Did You Know?
At 39 years and 337 days, Federer is the oldest man to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in the Open Era, breaking the record set by Ken Rosewall (39 years, 224 days) in 1974. (Ages calculated at the end of the tournament.)