- Swiss defeats Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 6-4, 6-2
- Federer, 40 next month, chasing ninth title
If there was more than a hint of vulnerability about Roger Federer when he began his campaign at this year’s Wimbledon, it is fading fast. The 39-year-old defeated the world No 27 Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals for the 18th time and although the world No 1, Novak Djokovic, remains a seemingly immovable object blocking his path to a record ninth Wimbledon title, the Swiss is beginning to look ominously good once more.
Six days after he was lucky, in his own words, to survive his first-round match when the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino had to retire through injury when leading two sets to one, Federer showed the 26‑year‑old Sonego the benefit of all his experience as he marched into the last eight. Just over 20 years after his famous fourth-round win against the then champion Pete Sampras, Federer is still going strong with a 105th win on the grass of the All England Club in the bag and his title hopes well and truly alive.
Related: Roger Federer edges through after Adrian Mannarino retires in fifth set