Few would have imagined. Winner of the trophy eight times, Roger Federer was eliminated in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon against a lower opponent. In an unbelievable match, South African Kevin Anderson (8th in the world) won the defending champion – and he had a two-set advantage – to overcome it by 2-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6 – 4 and 13-11 in four hours and 13 minutes and after a fifth set which lasted an hour and a half .
It was an unthinkable battle. Federer, number 2 worldwide but in a standing duel with Rafael Nadal, had played an almost perfect first set against Anderson. With 92% of the points earned with the first service a figure that was one hundred percent with the second (only required five times), the Swiss took the initial part 6-2 [19659003] That's how it happened. Federer leaves court 1 of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (Photo: AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF) ” observer=”” data-observer-function=”loadLazyImg”/>
That's how it happened. Federer leaves court 1 of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (Photo: AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF)
However, the panorama begins to complicate it. In the second round, appeared the aces of South Africa (7) and Federer's direct fouls (seven per side) which caused the definition to extend to tie-break, where the former number 1 of the world won by 7-5
But everything could become even worse and it happened. Anderson was encouraged and took one of two opportunities that Federer gave him to break him while the Swiss spent his four chances and with them the third set went missing, which was held by his rival for 7
However, no one was encouraged to give death to the Wimbledon King . Not even Anderson. In the fourth set, statistics continued to grow for him, while Federer failed to pbad 80% of the points earned with his first serve. And the direct mistakes were accumulated on his side of the network, while in the other everything that was happening came back. As a result, the South African managed to win 6-4
Federer's service, this fundamental tool for a 2.03 meter player, seemed to reappear in the fifth set, the final. A good game of service in the seventh and a game at zero with the set 7-6 deceived the Swiss with an end in his favor.
That's how it happened. Federer leaves court 1 of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (AP Photo / Ben Curtis)
But Anderson stretched the agony . After nearly an hour and a half he had the break (12-11) and with his service he had no fault to close the match and eliminate the best player of the world on the lawn of Wimbledon.
He also enjoyed his first victory in five games against Federer, the first on this surface . Previously, the Swiss won the Masters 1000 Paris 2013, Indian Wells 2014, Masters 1000 Rome and Cincinnati in 2015.
This victory will also bring consequences in the ranking. Anderson, at least, will climb to seventh place his best historic position. And will also seek to do more history at Wimbledon, where he will play for the first time in the semifinals. His best Grand Slam performance, for the moment, was the final lost last year with Nadal at the US Open. Will he be able to repeat in London?
The face of happiness. South African Kevin Anderson. (Photo: EFE / Nic Bothma)
