The question was posed again this fortnight, as it has been in the past: Is this the time Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, whose one-handed backhand and flair can resemble Roger Federer's game, will challenge the Swiss great?
But Federer answered the question again on Monday with a firm, “Not yet.” The seven-time champion extended his dominance against the Bulgarian and in Wimbledon fourth-round matches, beating Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to move into his 15th Wimbledon quarter-final. Federer now stands alone atop the Open Era list for most Wimbledon quarter-final appearances.
Most Wimbledon quarter-final appearances (Open Era)
Roger Federer
15
Jimmy Connors
14
Boris Becker
11
Andy Murray
10
Novak Djokovic
9?
John McEnroe 9
Pete Sampras 9
The 35 year old advances to his 50th Grand Slam quarter-final, another best in the Open Era.
Most Grand Slam quarter-final appearances (Open Era)
Player
No. of appearances
Roger Federer
50
Jimmy Connors
41
Novak Djokovic
39
Andre Agassi
36
Ivan Lendl
34
Federer is now 6-0 against Dimitrov in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. The Swiss right-hander has won all but two of the 16 sets they've played since their first meeting at 2013 Swiss Indoors Basel.
Dimitrov hadn't dropped a set during his first three Wimbledon matches and the 2014 Wimbledon semi-finalist had looked primed to challenge Federer. But the third seed was nearly untouchable in the familiar Centre Court environment.
The two exchanged holds until 4-4 in the first set, when Federer stepped up to break for a 5-4 lead. He'd serve the set out to love. Federer quickly pounced in the second set, seeing two break points at 2-2 after Dimitrov double faulted. The Bulgarian would finish with seven double faults for the match, compared to seven aces.
And Federer would need only one break point in that fifth game, converting it when Dimitrov slapped a forehand wide. The 26-year-old Dimitrov struggled to challenge Federer at all in his service games. At 6-4, 4-2, Federer's average service game was lasting only one minute and 21 seconds. For the match, the Swiss right-hander landed 70 per cent of his first serves and won 75 per cent of his service points.
The third-seeded Federer has yet to drop a set this fortnight, but he will face a stern test in the quarter-finals. Federer will meet 2016 finalist Milos Raonic, who held his nerve – saving 14 of 17 break points – to overcome #NextGenATP German Alexander Zverev 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in three hours and 23 minutes.
Tenth seed Zverev led by a set and 3-1 before sixth seed Raonic started his fightback, eventually finishing with 23 aces among 61 winners. There were only 17 rallies of nine shots or more.
Raonic beat Federer in last year's semi-final to reach his maiden Grand Slam title match, but Federer leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 9-3.
Unlike last year Mr. Federer isn't injured (which I believe was the only reason he lost). So I think he will win it in straights as long as he serves well.
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