Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers when they clash in the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Federer leads the head-to-head series 7-0 and he has won six of those meetings on hard courts.
More of the same can be expected at a tournament the 38-year-old has won five times–all in a row from 2004 through 2008. No matter that Federer has not lifted the trophy in more than a decade; he appears to be stellar form right now at Flushing Meadows. Following uninspiring four-set victories over Sumit Nagal and Damir Dzumhur, the third-ranked Swiss destroyed Dan Evans and Cincinnati runner-up David Goffin in easy straight sets.
Dimitrov has benefited from a favorable draw that includes a second-round walkover handed to him by Borna Coric. The 78th-ranked Bulgarian has not yet faced a seeded opponent, beating Andreas Seppi, lucky loser Kamil Majchrzak, and Alex de Minaur.
“I practiced with him in Cincy,” Federer reflected. “He was the guy I practiced with first when I just came off the plane. (I) know Grigor very well; he’s a good friend of mine. It was fun having him also at the Laver Cup last time around. I spent a week there with him. I’m happy that things are going better for him…. He had a bit of a slump.
“This is [big] for him, obviously with an opportunity against me. I’m aware of the fact it’s a big match for him. Yeah, I’ve done well against him in the past. But new match, new Grigor, new me again…. But I like watching him. I like playing against him. Of course, when we play, it’s as close as it gets to being a similar playing style. I think for both of us it’s cool to play one another.”
“Amazing; absolutely amazing,” Dimitrov said of being in the quarterfinals. “I don’t take anything for granted, especially (at) this tournament…. I’ve worked for it the past weeks. I’ve put a lot of hours on the court and off the court. You just never know. I mean, tennis is like this. You just never know when a little bit of luck smiles at you. You also have to seize your opportunity.”
The former world No. 3 has done extremely well to reach this point after having lost seven of his last eight matches dating back to the French Open. Nothing about their respective current or head-to-head history suggests this will be competitive.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 8-10 games
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