Roger oldest to reach Wimbledon quarters in modern era

Roger Federer leaps for an overhead shot against Lorenzo Sonego during their Wimbledon fourth-round match on Monday. Pic/AFP

Roger Federer on Monday became the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since the dawn of the Open Era in 1968. Federer, who will be 40 in just under five weeks' time, eased past Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to make the last-eight at the All England Club for the 18th time.

Final ‘Manic Monday'

"I felt after the first set I was able to control things. I couldn't be more excited to be in the quarters," said Federer whose match took place on the final ‘Manic Monday', so-called because all the Last 16 ties in the men's and women's event are played.

From next year, play will be held on the middle Sunday, which has traditionally been the tournament rest day. "I'm happy to have played in the era that there was a ‘Middle Sunday' but it now means more people can come to the tournament. It was very special and I really enjoyed it."

In what will be his 58th Grand Slam quarter-final, eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer will face Hubert Hurkacz, the 14th seed, for a place in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Federer gave a cautious welcome to the return of capacity crowds at the All England Club.

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From Tuesday's start of the women's quarter-finals until Sunday's men's final, organisers can drop the 50 per cent capacity rule which has been enforced since the start of the tournament. The cap was part of an agreement to allow fans to attend as the country comes slowly out of the Covid-19.

‘I'm not convinced'

"I'm still not a hundred percent convinced we are on the other side. I still think there is more to come," said Federer. "Last year in the summer we also felt the same way, super positive, having a few cases here and there. Then everything changed again later on."

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