Roger Federer reaches Wimbledon last 16 for 18th time

Roger Federer, on Saturday, cruised past British tennis player Cameron Norrie to enter the fourth round of the men’s singles event in Wimbledon. 8-time champion Federer registered a 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Norrie. He will be playing in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 69th time in his career.

For a place in the quarter-finals, he will face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Monday.

Federer is the third-oldest man to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon in the Open Era –- after Pancho Gonzales (41) in 1969 and Ken Rosewall (40) in 1975.

“It’s a nice stat to hear. It proves to me when I wake up in the morning that has happened,” said Federer who will turn 40 in five weeks’ time.

“I have loved every minute and I hope there’s a bit more left in me. It’s a pleasure still playing right now. 

“This one is special because I’m almost 40 — at this point, it’s all a bonus and I will see how far I can go here.”

Federer finished with 48 winners as he won his 104th Wimbledon match.

After surviving a scare in the first round against compatriot Adrian Mannarino, Federer upped the ante and produced a dominating performance in his second round demolition of Frenchman Richard Gasquet. He beat his opponent 7-6 (7/1), 6-1, 6-4.

Federer, on Thursday, became the oldest man in 46 years to reach the Wimbledon third round. Ken Rosewall was 40 when he entered the third round at the SW19 in 1975.

Ahead of the tournament, Federer had said that he “excited” and “pumped up” as he targets a ninth Wimbledon title. 

Seeded six in the tournament and with just eight tour matches under his belt this year, Federer’s 2021 appearance could be his last at the All England Club.

Back in 1999, Federer, just 19, faced childhood hero and seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras on Centre Court and announced himself as a superpower in the making with a 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 victory.

“There are a lot of young guys coming up, but Roger is a bit extra-special,” Sampras had said of Federer.