Federer stung by the pain of defeat but he vows to return for glory shot

ROGER Federer vowed to return to Wimbledon next year but said he felt “just awful” after a shock five-set defeat to Kevin Anderson.

A marathon quarter-final lasting four hours and 13 minutes ended with defending champion and eight-time winner Federer, who had a match point in the third set, losing 13-11 in the fifth.

Federer, 36, said: “Of course the goal is to come back here next year. I wouldn’t call it ‘unfinished business’. I felt like I did some good business here in the past already.”

He added: “It’s disappointing losing the next two sets after winning the first two and having match points. I’ve been there before. I know what kind of energy I need to bring to the fifth. I was able to bring that.

“To be honest, I didn’ t feel mental fatigue. Now I feel horribly fatigued and just awful. It’s just terrible. But that’s how it goes. Credit to him.”

Federer was scheduled on Court One having been ousted from his usual Centre Court berth for the first time in three years.

But he found himself in even more unfamiliar territory despite racing through the first set in 26 minutes, with an inspired Anderson’s relentless, thudding serve eventually overpowering the 20time Grand Slam winner.

The final set lasted 90 minutes, and it was captivating. Federer eked out a break point at 4-3, Anderson ( right) quickly snuffed it out, then Anderson served to stay in the match, and did so to love.

On they went, both holding to love for 10-10, but at 11-11 it was Federer who blinked, a double fault handing Anderson a rare break point which he converted.

Anderson needed four more booming serves, and he found them, to end Federer’s bid for a ninth title with a 2-6 6-7 (5/7) 7-5 6-4 13-11 win.

“Sometimes you don’ t feel good, and you try your best,” added Federer.

“It’s just not one of my best days, but theyy don’t hap-happen very oftenn either. It’s one of those hose a v e r a g e d aa yy ss when you have ve to try to win n t h e mat c h , and I just couldn’ t get it done.”

A j ubilant t Anderson, US S

Open runner-up l ast year, celel e-ebrated his firstst win over Federer in five at-attempts and a maidenid appear- anceance in a Wimbledon semi-finfinal.

TT hh e 3 2 - y e a r - oldold South Africrican, seeded eieighth, said: “I feel the few times I’ve pl ayed hi m i n the past, II ’’ v e walked ononto the court without the necenecessary belief that I nneeded to get through ththe match.

“If you playl somebody ranked lower than you, you have a bit more natural confidence in the match. In tough times you can sort of rely on ‘ hey, I feel like I’m a better tennis player, I’m going to get through’.

“I felt it was a little bit tough saying that against Roger. But I changed that phrase and said ‘What’s happened in the past is in the past. All I need to worry about is today.’

“I felt like I was just trying to keep myself very highly motivated, a lot of belief in myself and said ‘ Today is going to be my day’.”