WIMBLEDON, July 11, 2018
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who boast 13 Wimbledon titles between them, made up three of the eight men through to the quarterfinals here this year – it is the first time since 2015 Roland Garros that all three of the trio have made the last eight at the same Grand Slam.
However, it was Kevin Anderson, who headlined Wednesday’s action by knocking out defending champion Federer on Court 1. The World No. 8 saved match point in the third set, broke the Swiss maestro in the 23rd game of the final set and served out in the following to secure a 2-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 in four hours and 14 minutes.
A moment @KAndersonATP will never forget#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Gs8wWMU3at
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 11. Juli 2018
“Being down two sets to love, I just continued tying to do my best, keep fighting. I did a great job in the end. Beating Federer here is very special,” Anderson said afterwards.
“I just kept on telling myself I need to keep believing. I told myself that today was my day.”
Anderson has become the first South African man to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon since Kevin Curren in 1983. The 32-year-old will next face John Isner, who battled past Milos Raonic 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-3.
“He’s got a nice, big serve that he can rely heavily on… There’s nothing really that shocked me because I’ve seen Kevin play many, many times in the past,” said Federer. “Even if the matches have been maybe sometimes one-sided… you always know he can pick it up, and all of a sudden you won’t see breaks for some time.”
Djokovic to face Nadal
Djokovic has made it into his first semi-final since 2015 with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Kei Nishikori.
The 31-year-old Serbian told BBC Sport after the two hours and 35 minutes encounter: “It feels great to be in the last four of a Slam. I’ve been building in the past couple of weeks. The level of tennis has been going up in the past couple of months and tournaments.
“This is not the first time I have been in the semi-finals here but I will try to enjoy this victory.
“I am very grateful to play on the court I love [Centre Court] and to be competing at a high level. I am trying to get in the best possible shape for the biggest possible events and it doesn’t come much bigger that Wimbledon.”
Djokovic will play Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. The World No. 1 beat Juan Martín del Potro 7-5, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the final match on Centre Court.
“It was a very emotional match – to be back in the semi-finals here at Wimbledon, it is an amazing feeling,” said Nadal, who will appear in the stage of the last four for the first time since finishing runner-up in 2011.
What. A. Match.
He had to work for it, but @RafaelNadal is into the #Wimbledon semi-finals…
…with Novak Djokovic up next pic.twitter.com/vdtWSuI3Hi
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 11. Juli 2018
