London – Apparently if there was a perfect time to topple Roger Federer early at Wimbledon, this was the year — so believed Cameron Norrie and his vast legion of British fans.
A dogged 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 third round win for Federer on Saturday told its own story.
Hopes that the 29th seed could stop Federer’s pursuit of a men’s record ninth All England Club title reached fever pitch after 338th-ranked British wildcard Emma Raducanu had defied the odds to reach the last 16 moments before Norrie walked onto Center Court for his showdown with the Swiss supremo.
The fact that Federer had barely played in 18 months and was still in the tournament after his lucky escape against Adrian Mannarino in the first round — with the injured Frenchman quitting when the match was at two sets all — also raised hopes of an upset win for the last British man left in the singles draw.
But Federer, with his surgically patched-up knees and his 39-year-old battle-hardened body, showed that he is prepared to take as many knocks as it takes to keep alive his dreams of once again holding aloft the pineapple-topped Challenge Cup.
“Super relieved. It was a tough battle and it was so close. I’m playing at a high level now and things are going well for me,” a beaming Federer told the crowd after making it into the second week at the All England Club for the 18th time.
Just what facing Federer on the world’s most famous tennis stage does to the nerves was evident in the opening game of the match when Norrie kept misfiring his left-handed serve to produce three double faults.
While he survived that inauspicious start, Norrie was left floundering in the seventh game when Federer broke him to love. That was enough to give the sixth seed the opening set.
The second set again started with a bit of misfortune for the Brit, who struck a ball that bounced into the stands and hit a little boy in the face. After making sure the child was okay, he tossed an official Wimbledon towel to the boy.
While the crowd applauded the gesture, Norrie’s own fortunes dipped further when Federer broke him for a 2-1 lead.
Federer, who turns 40 next month, held on to the advantage to take the set and appeared to be heading for a straight sets victory when he held break point at 5-5 in the third.
Instead a streaky backhand from Federer kept Norrie alive and within a flash it was the Swiss who was broken to love in the next game as he handed Norrie the set with a wild forehand.
If Norrie had been playing any other opponent, the moment would have been greeted with deafening cheers from 99% of the crowd. But playing the world’s most beloved tennis citizen, he had to make do with sharing the adulation on Saturday.
Norrie kept Federer on his toes by breaking back for 3-3 in the fourth before the 20-time Grand Slam champion survived a fall in the ninth game to break for a 5-4 lead.
A netted service return handed Federer his 104th win at his favourite tournament as he made it to the last 16 of a major for a record-extending 69th time.
“It’s a nice stat to hear. It proves to me when I wake up in the morning that has happened. I have loved every minute and I hope there’s a bit more left in me,” said Federer.
“It’s a pleasure still playing right now. This one is special because it’s the last slam before I turn 40. At this point it’s all a bonus and I will see how far I can go.”
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