Roger Federer and Kevin Anderson will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday.
All four of their previous encounters have gone the way of Federer, who is 8-0 in total sets against Anderson and has never even been pushed to a tiebreaker. The two veterans have not faced each other since 2015, when the Swiss prevailed 6-3, 7-5 on the red clay of Rome and 6-1, 6-1 on the hard courts of Cincinnati.
It is no surprise that they are finally meeting again in this setting, the quarterfinals a the All-England Club. Federer, of course, is an eight-time champion of Wimbledon with a 96-11 lifetime record. The current world No. 2 did drop a single set en route to last year’s title and he has not come close to doing so this fortnight. Federer punched his ticket to the last eight by soundly defeating Dusan Lajovic, Lukas Lacko, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Adrian Mannarino.
Anderson is an all-court player whose best Grand Slam result has come at the U.S. Open (2017 runner-up), but he is perhaps most dangerous on grass. This marks the eighth-ranked South African’s fourth appearance in the Wimbledon second week (all in the last five years) and first trip to the quarterfinals. Anderson, who is a stellar 27-10 this season, has not lost at Wimbledon in less than five sets since 2014–to Andy Murray in the fourth round.
“One of my many goals was to try to get a personal-best achievement here,” Anderson commented. “(I have) lost in the round of 16 a few times…. I can definitely feel good about making it through to the last eight here for the first time.
“I am really looking forward to [the quarterfinal against Federer]. Obviously it will be a tough challenge. I think it’s a pretty exciting opportunity to play Federer here at Wimbledon.”
It may be a memorable moment for the underdog, but it probably won’t be fun while it is actually in progress. Federer has been absolutely trouncing people and he has always been known to raise his level even higher in the latter stages of big tournaments when the competition level ratchets up–which it does in the form of Anderson. A couple of sets could be competitive because of Anderson’s serving prowess, but the 36-year-old should not have too much trouble improving to 5-0 in this matchup.
Pick: Federer in 3 with at least one tiebreaker
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who ya got?
No doubt Fed to final losing to Rafa
plenty of doubt in that prediction
As I often point out, Ricky, a lot of people seem to confuse “prediction” with “what I want to happen”!
And then if what they want to happen ends up happening, they can say “See! I knew it would happen!” 😂
Kevin, it’s just prediction right? Why so serious? How many people can get every of their predictions right?
Fed will beat Rafa if they meet similar to the defeat at FO he had in 2008: 6-1;6-3;6-0 – similar thrashing in straight sets by Fed or maximum 4 mostly to finish before the WC football starts
More like wishful thinking! Even if Fed is to beat Rafa, it won’t be that kind of scoreline, you’re probably still hurting from that beating Fed had under the hands of Rafa.
Fed in 3.
No TBs
Yes….GOAT in the Final…again, and he will beat Rafa.
You’re so sure it’s Rafa in the final??
Interesting. The top half (Fed’s) quarterfinals are scheduled for Court 1 while Rafa’s half is on Center Court.
I thought they will put Fed first and Rafa second at CC; and Isner and then Djoko in Court 1. They probably want both courts to be filled; they scheduled Fed and Rafa at different timing too on two different courts.
Fed over Anderson with at least one tb.
Federer is playing so much than Anderson, and is 8-0 in sets and has not reached a tiebreak with him
Federer in 3 with NO tiebreaks.
Yeah, really! Fed looks very ordinary today!
And there was a tb!
Fed-Anderson has been scheduled for Court 1, with Djokovic-Nishikori for CC. (Nadal-Delpo also on CC, but that makes sense). It happened because Novak complained.
I wonder what all the conspiracy-minded folks who think Fed always gets special treatment have to say?
Djokovic may be on CC but the BBC is showing Fed’s match on the main screen. Exactly what I suspected would happen.
naturally
Fed breaks in the first game. It’s over.
Is men’s tennis the Roger Federer Benefit Society? It’s too much. Let other players get a look-in.
It’s 2-0 in just 5 mins
And Kei falters against Novak as well. We might not even see any contests…
First set 6-2 in 27 mins.
Finally Fed gets broken first time in this wimby.
Federer’s serves are really his get out of jail card!!!
And Fed does not seem crisp in this match! Novak does not seem crisp either!
Playing a tiebreak at Wimbledon against a massive server is pretty much the worst thing for anyone, including the Big 4!
Oh my god, Fed had him! Serving at 6-3 and he lost both points!
Of course it was still #NID lol.
Big Kev just saved a few match point to hold. Turning point???……… Ok, bad joke. 😛
I spoke too soon! Kev takes the 3rd set 7-5!! Wow, that was a collection of huuge chokes by Fed in that set… He had multiple match points AND break back points, and squandered them all. Wow.
As predicted, Anderson is good enough to take a set. Fed will still win this though.
It’s too bad that Anderson lost the first two sets. But good for him for staying in it and taking a set off Fed.
All that is relative. For some is good, for some is bad.
I feel Fed is showing his age now, making errors that he rarely makes. If he wins this match, he may have greater problems in the next, unless Raonic/Isner spend five or six hours beating each other!
Yeah, he is! Having to serve like this for 5 sets may be a tough ask esp against Roanic or Isner! He has to hope he can win all his other matches in , and uhmmmm, i don’t think so!
Yeah, impressive by Kev. I think we take granted just how difficult it is to play these massive servers on grass, especially when conditions make their serve even more difficult. You play one poor service game, get broken, and that’s the set.
I feel like Fed’s biggest problem this fortnight has been converting break points. He had multiple match points on Anderson’s serve, and then after Anderson broke, Fed had 15-40 to break back to send it to tiebreak. And then yesterday, he had break points in every one of Mannarino’s service games (accept one that went to deuce) in that second set, and he couldn’t convert ANY of them! I know this has always been a recurring problem for Fed, but it seems extra bad this fortnight. This match should be over, and he should have won multiple sets this tournament much easier than he eventually did.
Actually in that third set fed was 0-40 to force a tiebreaker.
Is Roger imploding ppl?!!
Omg, Anderson broke again!? Wtf? Is anyone watching the match? What’s going on with Fed?
Yes we r! I mean simply, Roger is NOT playng well!! Period!! If this was Rafa he was playing Fed would have lost in 3!!
Yeah I am watching
I am watching it. Anderson serving to take it to a fifth set. This is something else.
Set point for Anderson. This is unreal.
If Fed loses to Kevin Anderson from 2-0 up, we may have to accept that there’s good reason why no one wins majors at age 37 in the modern era…
We r heading to a decider
Unbelievable! Anderson holds his nerve to win the fourth set! This is going to five!
Now fed will up his level and I suppose roger will bagel kevin
Hopefully Anderson will stay strong here. I give him credit for fighting back from two sets down against Fed.
Oh wow!!..I never thought that Anderson can challenge Fed till 5th sets!!…Urgh!…I’m ready to write him off a while ago!Hehehe…Shame on me!!
And Rafa/DelPo is going to start too!…URGHH!!!
Lets hope what happened with Fed and Tsonga at Wimby years ago does not happen today!
Rafa is playing now.
Vamos Rafa !
Yeah Nny!….Vamos Rafa!!..bring it on!!
Btw…I think this will be a test for Fed too…I think he’s feeling the pressure to defend his title atm…Let’s see whether he can pass Anderson’s test…
Anderson is one of the last people you would want to face in a Wimbledon 5th set because you HAVE to break him to win.
Reminds me of that Fed – Roddick Wimbledon Final played in 5 sets.
Fed will do it but at what cost?!
Honestly, I don’t know if Fed will do it… He’s 37 damn years old- Anderson is like a kid compared to that age! Kevin is like, “I can be out here allllllll day long, old man!”
Lol! Fed is in a bit if pickle to be honest!
Fed can bounce back fine. Even at 36 his fitness is the best.
Yesss! One down, two to go!
Vamos Rafa!
Yep!! Vamos!!
I. Am. Stressed.
I would be too, if this was Rafa!! Roger just needs to try to apply more pressure on Andersons’s serve, try something!!
Aw man, Benny. Are you watching it?
Yeah I was for a little bit. But I had to work this summer tennis camp for kids (literally the first time I’ve had to ALL SUMMER) so I missed a solid 80% of the match including the last two games. I left at 11-11 because I had to get back to the camp then I check my phone five minutes later and it’s over. I’m shocked to say the least…. 😔😔
Isner and Raonic are stressed too 🙂
Ooops, Anderson will serve for match!! Oh my God, need to see this for myself!!! Wow!!!
Wow! Anderson breaks! Will he be able to finish this?
Oh my God!!…I can’t believe this!!…Is it real??We Rafans used to this at Wimby..But Fed??Just be strong Fedfans…
It seems like 99% of matches that Fed loses the past couple years are when he had match points and couldn’t convert. It can’t be good for his spirit.
Yeah. He was so close to win this match in 3. Had match point. And won overall more points during the match. It hurts. But I can’t do anything. Just accept it.
Well done Kevin!
U c!! I just had this feeling!
Anyway, congrats to Anderson!
Absolutely astonishing. And heartbreaking for Fed. Can it give any solice to Fed to know that he shouldn’t be going deep in slams at his age anyway? You’d think it would all seem like gravy at this point, but it’s just not the way these guys are wired.
Speechless 😭😭😭.
Oh God!!…I don’t believe this!!…So so very sorry to ALL Fedfans!!…But Rog was playing awesome too today!…I think,the pressure of catching up with Rafa takes it’s toll on him…
For Anderson & his fans!…U R AWESOME TOO!!…I thought when he lost in the 1st set,he will be gone in a blink of an eye..But,credit to u Big Boy!…
You are good at what you do 😂.
Truly am sorry to the Fedfans reading here. I was rooting for him to beat Anderson.
Congrats to Anderson tho – it’s a big moment for him.
Sorry to the Fed fans. But I do remember some saying that if Rafa should get to the final he would be embarrassed by Fed. Never take anything for granted. That’s why I take it one match at a time.
This one will be tough for Fed. He was up two sets and had s match point. I give all due credit to Anderson for staying in it and fighting hard. It was a brilliant effort on his part. No one gave him a chance to win this.
The good Fed fans here deserve respect. I know this is hard. Hang in there.
Well,at least some of us were right before the tourney started ,that Fed might not win.
No Fedal final,can’t say Ill miss it.
Yes Big Al. Many picked Cilic, myself included. I didn’t think Fed would make it this time. And no, we won’t miss the Fedal.
But I think he’ll be back. Hope so for all his fan’s sake.
N. Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro/R. Nadal are the favourites to win this title now.
Good to hear from you Nny.
Ricky,
Left you a message on site rules and maintenance. Hope you find it when you have time. Thanks
Thank you for the nice comments, Rafa fans. This site is sooo much better off when people play nice and are respectful.
Fed fans truly have little reason to feel bad. He has won 3 majors at an age when nobody makes noise at majors at all, or are just retired all together. Think about what all the all-one greats would say who would would have killed to still be competing for majors at 36, let alone winning them.
This one will surely sting for a bit, but these years should be viewed as all gravy. And it’s not like he’s just suddenly washed up- there is no reason he can’t win another major by the end of next year.
Keep ya heads up!
Wow, just wow! Didn’t see this coming! It’s not so much that Fed lost – but blowing a 2-set lead including a couple of matchpoints – that is truly surreal. Don’t know what to say, except: commiseration to all Fedfans here! Your guy did so much better than it has ever been expected after 2016. He has been the best over-thirty player ever in the history of tennis. This will probably never be outdone by anyone. But something had to give eventually at his age. No miracle lasts forever. And to be fair – there have been some faint signs in the wall. Fed didn’t play stellar during this grass season. But except for Coric he didn’t encounter a true challenge until today. Therefore it was masked.
All that said, I’m still a bit shocked by the way of this loss…
So, no second edition of “The Greatest Match Ever Played”. Frankly, as a Rafafan I’m relieved! I couldn’t have coped with the ensuing hype.
And considering that Roger was apparently not exactly in top form, maybe Fedfans should be relieved, too ☺
Apparently Djokovic complained and begged for more time on Center Court so he got his wish. I’m not saying this is why Fed lost but it couldn’t have helped to face Slightly different conditions and bounce of the ball. Then again, all the others must face this and adapt as well. It’s just Fed has played on Centre so many matches in a row because of how many the guy has won here. It just annoys me as a Fed fan that Djokovic had to go and make the tournament directors give him Centre Court and kind of halt his “center court mojo” so to speak. He should’ve been able to win regardless and looked comofortable enough to do so. Congrats to Anderson but I till want Djokovic to get smoked in the semis 😠😔 #SaltyBennyIsUnleashed
Also, my wish will not be granted. I have a feeling Djokovic is taking it all this fortnight…
Has Federer himself come out and stated what you are saying Benny, that he’s put-off about Novak doing that?
Heck no. I’m just salty and unreasonably annoyed at Djokovic 😂 No excuses for Fed in all seriousness. I mean cmon he was up two sets to love with match point 😭
lol, okay.
IF its true that Novak asked for CC. I find that very cheesy!! What difference does it make which court you play! I mean seriousness?! The tournament directors have their policies, y should they bend them for any one player?! God knows what else Novak will be asking!
Djokovic did ask, but it wasn’t an unreasonable request. Fed has played all his matches on CC this year and last until this one, and the usual custom is for everyone to play at least one match off CC.
Although Fed kept looking down at the court, the real problem was the pace and placement of Anderson’s ground-strokes. Fed did not play badly at all today. He mostly served great and hit some incredible shots. Sure his FH wasn’t working at its best, but Anderson had a lot to do with that. Today he was just better, especially on the big points.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request, since on paper Kei/Novak promissed to be a thriller while Fed/Anderson was thought to be a dud. It turned out to be just the other way round, lol!
I’m surprised nevertheless that Novak asked! But since the spectators and the umpire had treated him really badly during his match against Edmund they could hardly refuse and had to show him some love.
Hey Benny, Novak is still a long way off from winning it all. There are still three guys left who will do their utmost to prevent it. And I don’t think that Rafa is such an underdog in the upcoming match. Far from it. Te Djoker simply hasn’t been tested, yet. And Rafa should feel great after finally getting over the five-setter hump at a slam again.
I don’t think that the court change had anything whatsoever to do with Fed’s loss today. Heck, he was leading two sets and had a match point! I still can’t believe he lost. It’s surreal!
At the expense of sounding bitter, I find it hard to believe all these good wishes for Fed fans are genuine. When he’s a threat and alive in the tournament, there’s non-stop talk about PED, rigged draws, rigged organizers favoring him with roof closures, only winning in a weak era, him being arrogant etc. All these are used to attack Federer fans. Now that he is out of the tournament and not a threat, it’s so easy to be empathetic. It’s kinda like the Ferguson-Wenger rivalry in soccer. They’d hate each other when Arsenal were winning. The moment Arsenal stopped being a threat, Ferguson would talk in gushed tones about him.
P.S. I’m not merely ranting. As for Federer, I did expect Cilic to do what Anderson did today and was hoping Federer would somehow sneak through, but it was not to be. His overall level of play ground strokes wise was not very high in the pre-tourneys and this tournament itself. I don’t see a reason to change the Djokovic pick though.
As a matter of fact, you do sound bitter. What are we supposed to say? Should we gloat? No matter what we say, it’s no good. I don’t see anyone piling on here. I can’t say the same when Rafa loses.
Should I take back my commiserations? Okay, I take it back. Does that make you feel better? Rafa fans have had to read post after post about how inevitable it was that Fed would win, how Rafa would be humiliated if he faced Fed. There is a lot I could have said here after Fed’s loss, but I did not see any reason to do it.
NNY, Fedfan doesn’t speak for all of us don’t worry. At least not for me lol
Also, whoever said Fed would “humiliate Rafa” also does not represent the majority of the Fed fanbase. Any reasonable Fed fan (or any fan) would have expected a classic similar to that of Wimby 2008 or AO 2017 had Fedal met in the final.
No one’s asking you to gloat. There’s other ways to having a conversation than gloating or insulting all the time. The tone here usually is “he is on drugs”, “he’s a fake”, “he’s won in a weak era” to “Aww, I feel sorry for your loss”. I mean you can’t yo-yo between such extremes. Discussing a players level of play can be done without always implying malice.
And if you’ve followed tennis for a while, I don’t think any sane tennis follower is likely to say Fed will humiliate Rafa given their respective styles of play and their matchup and history. New people starting following the sport every year, and for them maybe the Federer nadal rivalry has always been like 2017, when it clearly hasn’t been the case.
Hawkeye is the only one here who’s ever said anything about Fed using PEDs. And that’s to get back at all the Fedfans (NONE of whom post here to my knowledge) who have accused Rafa of using since he first appeared on tour. Way too many tennis fans seem to get ego boosts when their favorite wins, like they had something to do with it. And some of them just can’t stand it when their fave loses (or even has a tough match in some cases) and start blaming him (I’m as big an offender as anyone, I just don’t post about it). The players, on average, do SO MUCH BETTER than their fans. They’ve learned to win and lose and it’s all between “friends” for the most part. They like and respect most of their opponents.