Federer Crashes Out Of Wimbledon As Djokovic Makes Semis

Defending champion Roger Federer has been dethroned by eighth seed Kevin Anderson who came back from two sets down to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final.

Anderson who was a 2017 US Open finalist, recovered to win 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-4 13-11 in an epic which lasted 4 hours and 13 minutes.

Federer, playing in the unfamiliar surroundings of Court One for the first time in three years, oozed confidence as early as the opening game when he broke Anderson’s huge serve with ease and then again in the ninth game before serving out the set in 26 minutes.

But the 32-year-old Anderson refocused in the second set to end the Swiss star’s streak of consecutive games won on serve at 85 as he raced into a 3-0 lead before Federer quickly hit back to win the next three.

Federer, aiming for a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title, settled for a tie-break which he took 7-5 – his 300th set overall at the Championships.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion had not dropped a set against the tall South African in their four previous meetings, but after Anderson saved a match point in the 10th game, a couple of errant forehands from Federer enabled the eighth seed to serve for the third set.

Anderson took his opportunity, despite having to save three break points, to seal it in majestic fashion with an ace.

That ended Federer’s streak of consecutive sets won at the All England Club at 34, with the former world No 1 unable to break his own record.

The 32-year-old has made history as he is the first South African man to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Kevin Curren in 1983.

Anderson also became only the third man to come from two sets down to beat Roger Federer.

“Down two sets to love I tried my best to keep fighting. Beating Roger Federer here at Wimbledon will be one I remember, especially in such a close match,” Anderson said.

“I kept telling myself to keep believing. I said today is going to be my day. You need that mindset against Roger.

“I’m ecstatic. That’s what you work so hard for. Matches likes that are very special,” he added.

The South African will face the winner of the clash between John Isner and Milos Raonic in the last four.

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic reached his eighth Wimbledon semi-final with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The 31-year-old will be playing in his 32nd Slam semi-final where he will face either world number one Rafael Nadal or fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.

Part of this article was culled from Skysports