November 16, 2024
Wimbledon 2019: Roger Federer makes history with quarter-final win over Kei Nishikori
Roger Federer fought back from a set down against Kei Nishikori to book his place in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the 13th time.
Federer wrapped up victory in two hours 36 minutes
After a slow start, the eight-time champion, 37, beat Japan’s Nishikori 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 for his 100th match win at the All England Club.
It makes Federer the first player in history to win 100 men’s singles matches at a single Grand Slam event.
He will play Rafael Nadal or Sam Querrey in the last four on Friday.
“That was difficult. The beginning was brutal,” Federer told the BBC.
“Kei came out smashing return winners and I had to make adjustments to stay with him and try to turn around that first set, but Kei was the better player.
“It was a great serving performance today against a great return player.”
Twenty-five days short of his 38th birthday, Federer becomes the oldest man to make a Grand Slam semi-final since Jimmy Connors in 1991 who, at 39 years and six days, reached the last four at the US Open.
In total, Federer has reached 45 Grand Slam men’s singles semi-finals, nine ahead of Wimbledon defending champion Novak Djokovic, who also advanced to the last four on Wednesday.
