Roger Federer crashes out of Wimbledon after humbling Hurkacz defeat

Jonathan Davies in Wimbledon 29 Jul 2021

Federer faces a lengthy lay-off (Adam Davy/PA Wire/PA Images)

Roger Federer’s quest for a ninth Wimbledon singles title is over after he was comprehensively swept aside in straight sets by Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.

Aged 39 years and 337 days, Federer was aiming to become the oldest man in the Open era to reach the semi-finals at SW19, but was ousted 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 by an inspired Hurkacz.

It brought an abrupt end to the eight-time champion’s 22nd appearance at the All England Club, with many hoping it is not the final time he will grace Centre Court.

This was Federer’s 18th Wimbledon quarter-final, while his opponent was appearing at this stage of a Grand Slam for the first time.

But it was the debutant who settled quicker; breaking in game six on the way to taking the opening set.

The second went to a tie-break, in which untimely errors crept into Federer’s game and 14th seed Hurkacz took full advantage to double his lead.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion had not lost in straight sets at Wimbledon since 2002.

However, that long run was broken in comprehensive fashion as the Pole ran away with the third to love; the first such set to go against Federer here.

In doing so, Hurkacz becomes only the second player from his nation to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals after Jerzy Janowicz in 2013.

He will now play Matteo Berrettini, who is the first Italian to advance to the last four here in over 60 years after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets.

Appearing in his second successive quarter-final of a Slam having also gone this far at the French Open last month, the Queen’s Club champion secured a 10th straight win as he hit 12 aces on route to victory.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Novak Djokovic remained on course for a sixth Wimbledon crown after overcoming Marton Fucsovics in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Playing in the last eight of a Slam for the 50th time, Djokovic took just 20 minutes to race into a 5-0 lead in the opening set, which he comfortably saw out despite being pegged back to 5-3.

Fucsovics, who took out Andrey Rublev, Diego Schwartzman and Jannik Sinner during the earlier rounds, was the first Hungarian to appear at this stage of Wimbledon since 1959.

But crucial breaks in the next two subsequently paved the way for the Serb, who has now won 15 without reply while registered his 100th tour victory on grass.

Two matches away from a record-equalling 20th Slam, Djokovic faces 10th seed Denis Shapovalov in the semi-finals.

The powerful Canadian hit 59 winners – including 17 aces – during an epic five-setter with Karen Khachanov, which he edged 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 to book his maiden venture into the last four of a Slam.

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