HALLE, June 21, 2018

Roger Federer had to dig deep to reach the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open. The World No. 1 was forced to save two match points to defeat Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7) on Thursday afternoon.

Federer outpointed his opponent 105-99, converting his third match point to secure victory in one hour and 58 minutes.

18. Straight. On 🌱@rogerfederer saves 2 match points to defeat Benoit Paire 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) at #GerryWeberOpen

🇨🇭👏 pic.twitter.com/9f7oYY726R

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 21. Juni 2018

“Benoit played superbly. It was a tough match, I played at a good level actually. I think he served well and had a good mix and a good variety. It was hard to break. So, naturally, it was always going to be tight. And at the end it was just extremely close. So, I’m fortunate to have made it today.” Federer told after winning his 18th consecutive match on grass.

No German player left in the singles draw

The nine-time Halle champion will next take on Matthew Ebden of Australia, who upset No. 6 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The encounter lasted one hour and 39 minutes.

Excellence Award for Florian Mayer (photo: GERRY WEBER OPEN/HalleWestfalen)

With Florian Mayer crashing out to Andreas Seppi later in the evening, it will be the first time since 1996 that no German player advanced to the stage of the final eight in Halle. Mayer lost 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour of play.

The 34-year-old from Bayreuth will end his career after the US Open and consequently played his last match in Halle. Mayer, who celebrated his biggest career win by lifting the trophy at the Gerry Weber Open in 2016, was honoured by tournament director Ralf Weber with the “Excellence Award”.

“The Gerry Weber Open is the greatest tennis tournament in Germany. Here I experienced my greatest moments as a professional,” Mayer said.

Seppi will move on to take on Borna Coric, who beat lucky loser Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-2.