By the end of this quarterfinal, a stiff drink seemed more appropriate than a serving of strawberries and cream.
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Anderson then held the 24th game to clinch one of tennis’ most famous victories.
Eight-time champion Roger Federer was sensationally knocked out of Wimbledon on Wednesday (Jul 11), surrendering a two-sets lead and a match point at the hands of South African giant Kevin Anderson. “And beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon will definitely be one that I remember, especially in such a close match”. By the end I was able to do a great job and I wasn’t thinking too much. After a marathon final set, a double fault on Federer in the 23rd game was ultimately what did in the No. 1 player.
The defending champion had not dropped a service game at this year’s championships either – part of a run spanning 85 games – until Anderson broke him in the second set.
Elsewhere in the men’s bracket, Rafael Nadal rounded out the day with a fantastically played match against Juan Martin del Potro, who came up just short of his second Wimbledon semifinal. In the final set, Anderson won more big points than Federer lost, but the opportunities were there for the No. 1 seed and he kept letting them get away.
But while Nadal and three-time champion Djokovic were expected to win, and Isner seeded to do so over Raonic, Anderson had never even extracted a set from Federer in four previous meetings.
Federer and Nadal are favourites to meet in Sunday’s final – 10 years after their epic 2008 showdown – but Wilander believes Del Potro could throw a spanner in the works. He extended it to 34 against Anderson, but then the wheels began to come off. And he kept his composure while Federer committed everyday errors – a netted backhand, an over-hit forehand – at the worst possible moments.
Anderson stayed in the match thanks to his serving, compiling 28 aces.
But Anderson is playing the best tennis of his career, having reached the final at Flushing Meadows last September and then a career-high ranking of No.7 in May. “But I have been there before, I knew what energy I needed to bring into the fifth set”, the Swiss said, “But it can happen, against a player like him who serves so big”. I’m very pleased to get through.
“I think Rafa and Del Potro had to be on Centre Court”, Murray told BBC.
“It feels great to be in the last four of a slam”, Djokovic said on the BBC. “I think I had my chances, so it’s disappointing”. That’s my problem really, the 36-year-old said.
Anderson, at 2.03m tall, will be “dwarfed” by his 2.08m opponent in the last four on Friday, American ninth-seed John Isner.
Djokovic also advanced to the semifinals, defeating Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Asked how important it was for his own campaign to be scheduled on Centre Court, Djokovic said: ‘Yes, very important.
“I have been here before and I will try and enjoy this victory”.
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The surprise switch could give Anderson heart though, according to former world number one Mats Wilander, as the South African has played several matches on Court One.
